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Baked Ziti with Sausage brings this family favorite to the next level.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe!
Today’s recipe is always a family favorite. And not just my family! I have taken this dish to lots of family’s when someone was sick or had a new baby and it is always a big hit. After they enjoy their dinner, they always request the recipe. It is also a delicious dish to make for company.
You will love how easy it is to make this delicious baked ziti. Double the recipe and share with a neighbor. They will love it too.
I like to add spinach and pesto. The pesto gives it a wonderful flavor and the spinach balances out the meal nicely.
Ingredients Needed
- Italian Sausage. I use a mild Italian sausage but you could also use hot.
- Onion. Yellow or white onion.
- Garlic
- Tomatoes. I use petite diced canned tomatoes.
- Pesto
- Ziti. Or whatever shape of pasta you like. I like to use a tubular shaped pasta so the sauce has something to hold onto.
- Baby Spinach
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
How to Make Baked Ziti with Sausage
- Cook sausage, onion and garlic in a pan until sausage is cooked through.
- Add tomatoes with juices
- Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes
- Add pesto and eason sauce with salt and pepper.
- Bring mixture back to a simmer.
- Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese in large bowl.
- Stir in warm hot tomato mixture.
- Place in prepared baking dish
- Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over top of the ziti.
- Bake at 375 degrees F until sauce bubbles and cheeses melt, about 30 minutes
Tips
- The sauce can be made the day before to speed up the process on a busy night.
- This is a great recipe to double and freeze for later or share with a neighbor.
Check out more of my favorite pasta dishes:
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Baked Ziti with Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausages
- 1/2 C chopped onion
- 3 large garlic cloves chopped
- 1 28- ounce can diced peeled tomatoes
- 1/4 C pesto
- 10 ounces ziti or penne pasta about 3 cups, freshly cooked
- 4 cups or hand fulls of baby spinach leaves
- 6 ounces grated or cubed mozzarella cheese
- 1 Cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook sausage, onion and garlic until sausage is cooked through
- Add tomatoes with juices
- Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes
- Add pesto
- Season sauce with salt and pepper
- You can prepare up to this point a day ahead and refrigerate
- Bring mixture back to simmer before continuing
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Lightly oil 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish.
- Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese in large bowl.
- Stir in warm hot tomato mixture.
- Place in prepared baking dish
- Sprinkle remaining 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese over
- Bake until sauce bubbles and cheeses melt, about 30 minutes
Sharon says
This is the best! I added more pesto as my husband and I love it. Other than that variation I made it as is.
Sharon says
This is wonderful! Loved by everyone, my husband requests it often.
Sharon says
This is a definite winner, my husband and company love it.
Melanie says
Our very favorite family meal!!