Oven-Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-24 · Updated 2026-06-24

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Baked ziti pasta combined with savory Italian sausage and creamy ricotta, topped with melted mozzarella and marinara sauce. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving

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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

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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.