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Perfect Baked Ziti Recipe - Comfort Food That Feeds a Crowd

This ultimate baked ziti recipe combines authentic Italian flavors with American comfort food sensibilities, delivering restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. The strategic layering of creamy ricotta, savory Italian sausage, and perfectly melted cheese creates a harmony that satisfies both casual weeknight dinners and special occasion gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Pasta
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 580
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb uncooked ziti or penne pasta
  • 1 lb Italian sausage sweet or spicy
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 4-5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp white sugar
  • 8 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley and/or basil for garnish

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Boil salted water for pasta.
  2. Cook ziti 2-3 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
  3. Brown sausage and onion in a pot, 7-10 minutes, breaking apart meat.
  4. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, cream, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer 5 minutes.
  6. Toss pasta with sauce. Spread half in 9×13 dish.
  7. Dollop ricotta across the pasta, then top with remaining pasta mixture.
  8. Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella. Bake uncovered 20 minutes until bubbly, then broil briefly for golden crust.

Notes

Cook pasta slightly under al dente to prevent mushiness. Taste and season sauce before layering. Allow ziti to rest 10 minutes before serving for clean slices and optimal flavor.