This easy baked ziti recipe is worth it’s weight in gold. It is the perfect comfort food and with a loaf of fresh Italian Bread, you’ve created the perfect dinner for friends and family.
Offering the best Italian food recipes – and all from scratch.
Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
BAKED ZITI WITH MUSHROOMS AND SAUSAGE
1 lb sweet or spicy Italian sausage
topping recipe below
1 lb ziti
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup Romano cheese, grated
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp homemade garlic powder
1/2 tsp homemade onion powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp oregano
2 cups homemade tomato sauce
1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees.
Place sausage in a shallow baking pan and bake for 40 minutes, or until sausage is browned and cooked through. Cut into 1/4 inch pieces.
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and place in a mixing bowl. Add the sliced sausage, mushrooms, Romano cheese, salt, pepper, oregano and garlic powder. Add 1 cup of the tomato sauce and mix well.
Transfer this into a greased baking pan and pour the remaining 1 cup of sauce over the top.
Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes. Sprinkle the mozzarella and return to the oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
OLD FASHIONED ZITI RECIPE
This easy baked ziti recipe is a winner and perfect to make ahead for a family get-togethers. If you refrigerate it, make sure to cook this dish for one hour, not 30 minutes as indicated.
1 lb dry ziti pasta
2 TBS garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb bulk sausage
52 oz homemade spaghetti sauce
6 oz provolone cheese, sliced
1-1/2 cup ricotta cheese
12 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
3 TBS Parmesan cheese, grated
PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 4 quart casserole dish pan well.
Fry the garlic, ground beef, sausage and chopped onion in a skillet. When done, add the spaghetti sauce and simmer for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the ziti pasta in salted water until al dente according to package directions.
Layer as follows:
1/2 of the ziti pasta, 1/2 of the spaghetti sauce, 1/2 of the provolone cheese and then ricotta cheese.
Pour on the remaining spaghetti sauce and then the pasta, provolone, and ricotta. Top with the grated Parmesan cheese and cover completely with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling around the sides of the dish.