Bubbly, cheesy, and gone in minutes! 🧀 This Baked Ziti with Sausage is layers of pasta, savory Italian sausage, rich tomato sauce and a mountain of melted mozzarella.

Print Recipe

The sausage browns with onion and garlic, then simmers with marinara, crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Ricotta, egg, mozzarella and Parmesan make it extra creamy.

This is the dish that gets requested again and again.

Why You’ll Love It

Real comfort food. Pasta, sausage, sauce and lots of cheese.
Feeds a family. It fills a 9×13 dish.
Creamy ricotta. Mixed right into the pasta.
One big dish. Everything bakes together in a 9×13.
Crowd favorite. Everyone asks for this one.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ziti pasta: Cooked just shy of done.
Italian sausage: Casings removed, browned with onion and garlic.
Marinara, crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning: The rich tomato sauce.
Ricotta and egg: Mixed with mozzarella and Parmesan for a creamy layer.
Mozzarella and fresh basil: Melted on top and garnished.

You’ll find the exact amounts and steps in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make It

Heat the oven and cook the ziti until just al dente, then drain it. Brown the sausage with the onion in a large skillet, breaking it up, then add the garlic. Stir in the marinara, crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning and let it simmer. In a bowl, mix the ricotta, egg, 1 cup of the mozzarella and the Parmesan. Toss the pasta with the sausage sauce and the ricotta mixture and spread it in a 9×13 baking dish. Top with the rest of the mozzarella and bake until it’s bubbly and golden. Let it rest a few minutes and garnish with fresh basil.

Tips for the Best Baked Ziti with Sausage

Undercook the pasta. It finishes in the oven and soaks up the sauce.
Break up the sausage. Small crumbles spread through every bite.
Let the sauce simmer. It deepens the flavor.
Rest before serving. 10 minutes helps it hold together.
Fresh basil on top. Adds color and freshness.

Team baked ziti or team lasagna? 🍝