Creamy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
Indulge in this deliciously rich and creamy twist on the classic baked ziti! Unlike the traditional versions loaded with tomato sauce, this dish showcases the savory goodness of Italian sausage combined with a luscious cheese sauce. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, it’s a comforting meal that your whole family will love. Great for potlucks or a cozy dinner, you can even boost the sausage for heartier appetites. This creamy delight is sure to become a family favorite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
ziti pasta
8 ounces (uncooked)
Italian sausage
1 lb (mild or hot, your choice)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking sausage)
butter
1/4 cup (for making the sauce)
all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (for thickening the sauce)
milk
2 cups (for the cheese sauce)
Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (grated, divided)
salt
2 teaspoons (divided)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (divided)
ricotta cheese
16 ounces (may substitute with small-curd cottage cheese)
egg
1 (lightly beaten)
fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped)
mozzarella cheese
1 cup (shredded)
paprika
to taste (for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Cook the ziti pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
3
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage links and cook for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. If they start to burn, reduce the heat.
4
Once cooked, drain the sausage on paper towels and slice diagonally into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
5
In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, gradually stir in the flour, cooking for 1 minute while stirring continuously until smooth.
6
Slowly whisk in the milk and keep cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and bubbles. This will take several minutes.
7
Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Add the cooked ziti pasta and mix until well combined. Set aside.
8
In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese), beaten egg, chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper. Stir until well blended.
9
In a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish, layer half of the ziti mixture. Spread the ricotta mixture over the ziti, followed by half of the sliced sausage. Add the remaining ziti mixture on top and finish with the remaining sausage.
10
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, and dust lightly with paprika for added color.
11
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Remove the foil in the last 10 minutes to allow the cheese to brown slightly.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this baked ziti recipe unique?
Unlike traditional versions that use tomato sauce, this recipe features a luscious, creamy cheese sauce and savory Italian sausage.
What type of pasta is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of uncooked ziti pasta.
Can I choose the spiciness of the sausage?
Yes, you can use 1 lb of either mild or hot Italian sausage depending on your preference.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How long should the Italian sausage be cooked in the skillet?
Cook the sausage links for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally until browned on all sides.
How should the cooked sausage be prepared for the casserole?
After draining on paper towels, the sausage should be sliced diagonally into bite-sized pieces.
What are the ingredients for the creamy sauce base?
The sauce is made by melting 1/4 cup of butter and stirring in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, then whisking in 2 cups of milk.
How do I ensure the creamy sauce is smooth?
Gradually stir the flour into the melted butter and cook for 1 minute while stirring continuously before slowly whisking in the milk.
When is the Parmesan cheese added to the sauce?
Remove the thickened milk mixture from the heat and stir in 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese along with salt and pepper.
What can I use as a substitute for ricotta cheese?
You may substitute the 16 ounces of ricotta cheese with small-curd cottage cheese.
What is included in the ricotta cheese mixture?
The mixture combines ricotta (or cottage cheese), 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, a lightly beaten egg, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and pepper.
Why is an egg added to the cheese mixture?
A lightly beaten egg is added to the ricotta mixture to help bind the ingredients together during baking.
What size baking dish is needed?
You should use a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
How is the dish layered?
Layer half the ziti mixture, followed by the ricotta mixture, half the sausage, the remaining ziti, and finally the remaining sausage.
What are the final toppings before baking?
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top and dust lightly with paprika.
How long does the casserole need to bake?
The ziti should bake for a total of 1 hour.
Should the dish be covered while baking?
Yes, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for the majority of the baking time.
When should I remove the aluminum foil?
Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the mozzarella cheese to brown slightly.
How much total Parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, which is divided between the sauce and the ricotta mixture.
What kind of vegetable oil should I use for the sausage?
The recipe recommends using 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil for cooking the sausage links.
What should I do if the sausage starts to burn while browning?
If the sausage links start to burn, you should reduce the heat on the skillet.
Is the parsley used fresh or dried?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley.
What is the purpose of the paprika?
Paprika is used to sprinkle on top of the mozzarella to add a bit of color to the finished dish.
How should the ziti pasta be cooked initially?
Cook the ziti according to the package directions until it is al dente, then drain well.
Is this recipe suitable for a family dinner?
Yes, it is described as a comforting meal that the whole family will love and is also great for potlucks.
Can I add more meat to this dish?
Yes, you can boost the amount of sausage used for heartier appetites.
What is the total amount of salt used in the recipe?
A total of 2 teaspoons of salt is used, divided between the white sauce and the ricotta mixture.
What is the total amount of pepper used?
A total of 1/2 teaspoon of pepper is used, divided between the white sauce and the ricotta mixture.
What texture should the white sauce have before adding the pasta?
The mixture should be thickened and bubbling before being removed from the heat.
Can I use shredded Parmesan instead of grated?
The recipe specifies grated Parmesan cheese, but shredded can often be used as a substitute.