Easy Baked Ziti Recipe with Italian Sausage
There’s something magical about pulling a bubbly, cheesy baked pasta casserole out of the oven. The smell alone is enough to make your mouth water.
Baked ziti is one of those dishes that brings everyone to the table without any complaints. It’s hearty, comforting, and hits all the right notes when you need a satisfying meal that doesn’t require a culinary degree to pull off.
This easy baked ziti recipe combines tender pasta tubes with rich marinara, savory Italian sausage, and three types of melted cheese that create those irresistible stretchy cheese pulls we all live for. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a Tuesday night or hosting friends for dinner, this dish delivers every single time.
The best part? You can have this homemade baked ziti assembled and in the oven in about 30 minutes. Then it’s just a matter of waiting for that golden, bubbly top to form while you set the table and pour the drinks. If you love hearty comfort meals like this, you’ll also want to check out this Tater Tot Casserole for another crowd-pleaser.
What Makes This Baked Ziti Recipe Special
This isn’t your average thrown-together pasta bake. The secret is in the layers and the sausage.
Baked ziti with Italian sausage takes this dish from good to absolutely crave-worthy. The sausage adds a depth of flavor that ground beef just can’t match. Those herbs and spices baked right into the sausage infuse every bite with that authentic Italian taste.
We’re also using a combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. The ricotta adds creaminess, the mozzarella gives you those cheese pulls, and the Parmesan brings a sharp, salty kick that ties everything together.
The sauce-to-pasta ratio here is perfect. Nobody wants dry baked ziti that sticks to the roof of your mouth. This recipe ensures every forkful is saucy, cheesy, and completely satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Family Dinner Pasta Recipe
For the pasta and sauce:
- 1 pound ziti pasta (penne works too if that’s what you have)
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot, your call)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce, plus extra for serving
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the cheese layer:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional but adds warmth)
This comfort food pasta bake uses simple ingredients you can grab at any grocery store. Nothing fancy or hard to find.
How to Make the Best Baked Ziti
Step 1: Get Your Pasta Going
Preheat your oven to 375°F. You want it hot and ready by the time you finish assembling everything.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti and cook it for about 2 minutes less than the package directions say. You want it al dente because it’ll continue cooking in the oven.
Drain the pasta but don’t rinse it. That starchy coating helps the sauce cling to every piece.
Step 2: Brown That Sausage
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the sausage from its casings and add it to the pan.
Break it up with a wooden spoon and let it brown nicely. You want those crispy, caramelized bits because that’s where the flavor lives.
Once the sausage is cooked through (about 7-8 minutes), add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it smells incredible.
Step 3: Build Your Sauce
Pour in the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Stir in the basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Let this simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes. The flavors need time to get to know each other. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Step 4: Mix Up the Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, and nutmeg if you’re using it.
Mix it all together until it’s smooth and creamy. This mixture is what makes baked ziti so incredibly rich and satisfying.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Add the drained pasta to your sauce and sausage mixture. Toss everything together so every piece of pasta gets coated.
Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and spray it with cooking spray. Spread half the pasta mixture on the bottom.
Drop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the pasta and gently spread it out. It doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, those uneven pockets of cheese are what make every bite different.
Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining cup of mozzarella cheese over the top. This is what creates that golden, bubbly crust everyone fights over.
Step 6: Bake Until Bubbly
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into your preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes covered.
Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown in spots.
Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This gives everything time to set up so you get clean slices instead of a saucy mess.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with extra marinara on the side.
Tips for the Perfect Comfort Food Pasta Bake
Don’t skip the egg in the ricotta mixture. It helps bind everything together and keeps the cheese layer from getting watery.
Use quality marinara sauce. Since it’s a main flavor component, grab a sauce you actually like eating straight from the jar.
Let the dish rest before serving. Those 10 minutes make a huge difference in how well it holds together when you scoop it out.
Cover with foil for the first part of baking. This keeps moisture in and prevents the top from burning before the inside gets hot.
Add red pepper flakes if you like heat. A pinch mixed into the sauce gives it a nice kick without overpowering the other flavors.
Variations to Try
Go vegetarian: Skip the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach instead.
Switch up the meat: Ground beef, turkey, or chicken all work great here. Even plant-based sausage makes this dish delicious for vegetarian friends.
Add vegetables: Stir in some baby spinach or chopped broccoli with the pasta for extra nutrients without changing the flavor much.
Make it lighter: Use part-skim ricotta and mozzarella to cut down on calories without sacrificing too much richness.
Try different pasta shapes: Penne, rigatoni, or even shells work just as well as ziti.
Serving Suggestions
This family dinner pasta recipe is pretty much a complete meal on its own, but a few sides take it over the top.
Serve it with garlic bread or a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. The freshness cuts through the richness perfectly.
A glass of red wine doesn’t hurt either if you’re in the mood.
For another easy weeknight winner, try these Garlic Chicken Wraps when you want something a little lighter but still packed with flavor.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Baked ziti actually tastes even better the next day after all the flavors have had time to marry together.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven covered with foil for about 20 minutes.
You can also freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Why This Recipe Works for Busy Families
Between work, school, activities, and everything else life throws at you, you need meals that don’t add stress to your day.
This easy baked ziti recipe can be prepped ahead, assembled in minutes, and feeds a crowd without breaking your budget. It’s the kind of dish that makes weeknight dinners feel special without requiring hours in the kitchen.
Kids love it because it’s pasta and cheese. Adults love it because it actually tastes like real food with real flavor. Everyone wins.
Plus, you can double the recipe and freeze one for later. Future you will be very grateful when you pull a homemade baked ziti out of the freezer on a chaotic evening.
Related Recipes You’ll Love
Looking for more hearty dinner ideas? Check out these crowd-pleasers:
- Tater Tot Casserole Recipe – Another family favorite that disappears fast
- Garlic Chicken Wraps – Perfect for lunch or lighter dinners
For more pasta inspiration, check out this collection of baked ziti recipes on Pinterest that’ll give you endless variations to try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make baked ziti ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble it up to a day in advance, cover, refrigerate, and bake when ready. Add 10 extra minutes of baking time if chilled.
Q: Can I freeze baked ziti?
A: Absolutely. Wrap tightly in foil and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Q: What can I substitute for Italian sausage?
A: You can use ground beef, turkey, or a plant-based sausage for a lighter or vegetarian option.
Q: How do I keep baked ziti from drying out?
A: Make sure there’s plenty of sauce and cover with foil while baking so the moisture stays locked in.
Final Thoughts on This Cheesy Baked Pasta Casserole
This baked ziti recipe is one of those keepers you’ll make over and over again. It’s reliable, delicious, and makes everyone happy.
The combination of tender pasta, savory Italian sausage, rich tomato sauce, and three types of melted cheese creates something that’s way more than the sum of its parts. It’s comfort food at its absolute finest.
Whether you’re new to cooking or have been doing this for years, this easy baked ziti recipe will become a regular in your dinner rotation. Make it once, and you’ll understand why it’s such a classic.
So grab those ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready for one seriously satisfying meal that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.
