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Creamy Loaded Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

creamy loaded baked ziti with italian sausage - featured image
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A quick and easy baked ziti recipe featuring Italian sausage and a creamy cheese sauce, perfect for comforting family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) ziti pasta
  • 1 pound (450 grams) Italian sausage, casing removed (mild or spicy)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) cottage cheese, small-curd, whole milk (optional but recommended)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups (200 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups (700 ml) marinara sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
  4. Add Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  6. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with sausage. Pour in marinara sauce and stir to coat evenly. Remove from heat and fold in the cheese mixture, reserving about 1 cup shredded mozzarella for topping.
  7. Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella evenly over the top.
  8. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden on top.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta to avoid mushiness. Brown the sausage well for added flavor. Blend cottage cheese with ricotta for a creamy sauce without heaviness. Reserve some mozzarella for a golden crust on top. Let the dish rest after baking to thicken the sauce. Cover with foil if the top browns too quickly.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian sausage, creamy pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy baked pasta

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/creamy-loaded-baked-ziti-with-italian-sausage-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-dinner/