Sausage Baked Ziti

Sausage baked ziti combines Italian sausage with a creamy, cheesy marinara sauce topped with fresh mozzarella and baked until golden brown.

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Sausage baked ziti is perfect for a weeknight meal or even a dinner party. Layered with flavors, you’ll think you are at an Italian restaurant.

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons, extra virgin olive oil

• 1 Pound Italian Sausage (hot or mild)

• 1 Small onion, diced

• 3 Garlic cloves, minced

• 1 Can crushed tomatoes (I use CENTO)

• 1 Can whole peeled tomatoes, cut up with their juices (CENTO)

• 1 Cup heavy cream

• 1/2 Pound Hard, block mozzarella cheese, cubed

• 1/2 Pound Soft, fresh mozzarella, sliced (6-8 slices)

• 3/4 Cup, grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 Pound Ziti

Sauce for Sausage Baked Ziti

Place a large pot over medium heat. Add in the extra virgin olive oil and sausage. As the sausage starts to cook, use a spoon to break it up into pieces. Cook until sausage is brown, about 15 minutes.

Next up, add in the diced onions and garlic and cook for about 3 minutes or until they become soft.

Slowly add in the cut up tomatoes, with their juices, the crushed tomatoes, salt and pepper (to taste). Stir until combined, simmering for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350ºF. While your oven is heating, cook the ziti according to package directions. Oh and cube and slice the mozzarella too!

Grab yourself a 9X13 dish and spray with cooking spray. Ladies and gentlemen, Sausage Baked Ziti is almost done!

Time to finish the masterpiece

First, add the heavy cream into the meat sauce, stirring until combined. Second, toss the cooked ziti into the sauce and mix. Third, add in the cubed mozzarella and 1/2 of the grated Parmesan cheese.

Finish up by pouring the ziti mixture into the baking dish, topping with the mozzarella slices and the rest of the grated Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes. The Sausage Baked Ziti should be bubbling and lightly browned.

I swear I’m at least half Italian. Pasta dishes are a must in my house. As long as I’m alive, pasta will always be welcome at my dinner table.

Pasta dishes were usually served on Sunday’s growing up. The smell of the sauce (ok, you caught me…I guess if I was any part Italian, I would’ve just called the sauce “gravy”) simmering on the stove. The sound of chopping, egg cracking and cheese grating, was music to my ears. It was a sure sign that meatballs were joining us for dinner!

Meatballs with Spicy Marinara is our favorite in this house. But I have to tell you that this Sausage Baked Ziti gives that pasta dish a run for its money. See for yourself! ~Christina