Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta
Baked ziti pasta combined with savory Italian sausage and creamy ricotta, topped with melted mozzarella and marinara sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs ziti pasta, casings removed Italian sausage, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1/2 lb, casings removed Italian sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz ziti pasta and cook for 8 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 lb Italian sausage and 3 minced garlic cloves, breaking up sausage with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, cooked sausage and garlic, 2 cups marinara sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Mix until evenly combined.
- Step 4: Transfer pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Step 5: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ziti pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
