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Baked ziti with a serving on a dark plate.
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5 from 1 vote

Baked Ziti With Italian Sausage Recipe

This baked ziti recipe comes together quickly and easily. We call for fresh Italian sausage, but it works with any kind you like.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: hotdish, Italian sausage, pasta, pecorino romano
Servings: 8
Calories: 604kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ziti pasta

Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb Italian sausage ground
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Onion diced
  • 3 clove Garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup Red wine
  • 28 oz Tomatoes Italian style, crushed
  • 15 oz Tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup Basil chopped
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper freshly ground

Bechamel Sauce

  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 2 tbsp Flour
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg

Other Ingredients

  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup Romano cheese grated

Instructions

Make The Meat Sauce

  • Take a large pot or dutch oven and place over medium heat. Add the olive oil to the pan and allow to come up to temperature.
  • Add the diced onion to the hot oil and cook over medium heat until the onion softens and begins to become translucent.
  • Add the garlic to the pot and stir. Allow to cook until the garlic becomes fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the ground italian sausage to the pot and stir. Cook the sausage, breaking it up into your preferred coarseness as you cook.
  • When the sausage is cooked, drain off the excess fat and return to the heat.
  • Add to the pot the red wine and deglaze the pan, scraping any bits off the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, the salt and pepper, and the basil.
  • Stir to combine and allow the sauce to simmer (a very low boil) over a low heat.

Make The Pasta and Bechamel Sauce

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Cook the pasta according to the instructions in a large pot of salted water. Cook minus two minutes according to the instructions (al dente).
  • While the pasta is cooking melt the butter in a small saucepan over a medium low heat.
  • Sprinkle the flour into the melted butter while whisking . Whisk until smooth.
  • Slowly pour the milk into the saucepan whisking vigorously. When all the milk has been incorporated, add the nutmeg and continue to whisk.
  • Increase to medium / medium-high heat continuously whisking. Continue whisking until the bechamel sauce is thick and creamy, about 5 minutes. You will notice it changing and getting thicker right towards the end.
  • Remove the bechamel sauce from the heat and set aside.

Assembling The Dish

  • When the pasta has finished cooking, drain well and add to the pot with the meat sauce. Mix until thoroughly combined.
  • Spray a 9×13 casserole dish or baking dish with a nonstick cooking spray.
  • Pour in 1/2 the ziti mixture into the casserole dish.
  • Drizzle half of the bechamel sauce over the ziti. Next, sprinkle half the mozzarella cheese and romano cheese over the zita.
  • Pour the remaining ziti and meat sauce into the casserole dish and repeat the steps with the cheese.

Baking The Dish

  • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 5 minutes.
  • If you want some of that cheese to get browned up, turn to broil and monitor until the cheese gets to your preferred crispiness.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool and set up for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 604kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 1164mg | Potassium: 772mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1395IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 224mg | Iron: 3mg