Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage (Printer-Friendly Version)

Tender pasta, sausage, and cheese combine with savory sauce for a cozy family favorite that’s easy and satisfying.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 400 g ziti pasta

→ Protein

02 - 250 g Italian sausage, casing removed
03 - 200 g ground beef

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 1 medium bell pepper, diced

→ Sauce and Tomatoes

06 - 700 ml marinara sauce
07 - 400 g diced tomatoes, drained

→ Dairy and Cheese

08 - 250 g ricotta cheese
09 - 1 large egg
10 - 200 g shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - 100 g shredded cheddar cheese

→ Seasonings

12 - 2 tbsp olive oil
13 - 2 tsp Italian seasoning
14 - 1 tsp garlic powder
15 - 1 tsp onion powder
16 - 1 tsp salt
17 - 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Boil ziti pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add Italian sausage and ground beef to the skillet, cook until browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
04 - Stir in marinara sauce, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes.
05 - Add cooked ziti pasta to the sauce and meat mixture. Stir until evenly combined.
06 - In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese with the egg until smooth and fully blended.
07 - Spread a layer of the pasta and meat sauce into the base of a 33 x 23 cm casserole dish. Top with a thin layer of the ricotta mixture. Repeat layers twice, finishing with a final layer of pasta and sauce.
08 - Evenly sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top layer.
09 - Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake at 175°C for 20–30 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and grill (broil) on high for 2–3 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling.
11 - Allow to cool slightly, portion, and serve warm.

# Handy Cooking Tips:

01 - Let the assembled dish rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and maintain structure.
02 - For meal prep, assemble in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake thoroughly when ready to enjoy.
03 - Cottage cheese may be substituted for ricotta for a lighter texture and reduced fat.
04 - Alternate pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni can be used for similar results.

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