Italian Sausage & Mozzarella Baked Ziti
Indulge in a comforting plate of Italian Sausage & Mozzarella Baked Ziti, a delightful twist on a classic dish inspired by my mother, Momma Maglione. This recipe boasts the robust flavors of hot Italian sausage combined with creamy, fresh mozzarella, enveloped in a rich and savory tomato sauce. Each bite is a perfect blend of textures and tastes, enhanced by a splash of white wine and a hint of heat from crushed red pepper flakes. This one-dish meal is perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner at home, and pairs wonderfully with a glass of wine and some classic Italian tunes playing in the background.
8
Servings
350
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ziti pasta
16 ounces (Cook until al dente.)
Hot Italian sausage links
4 links (about 1 lb) (Cook until browned and fully cooked, then slice.)
White wine
1/2 cup (Use in sauce preparation.)
San Marzano tomatoes
1 (32 ounce) can (Puree until smooth.)
Crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon (Add to sauce mixture.)
Salt
1 teaspoon (Add to sauce mixture.)
Fresh mozzarella cheese
2 cups (Thinly slice and chop.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse it under cold water, and then transfer it to a 7"x11" glass baking dish.
3
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the hot Italian sausage links until browned and fully cooked. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
4
In a blender, combine the San Marzano tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
5
Add 1/2 cup of white wine to the reserved drippings in the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Bring the wine to a simmer.
6
Slice the cooked sausage diagonally into 1/2" thick pieces. Add the pureed tomato sauce and sliced sausage to the simmering wine, stirring well to combine. Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes.
7
While the sauce simmers, thinly slice and chop the fresh mozzarella balls. (Pro tip: Freezing for a few minutes can make slicing easier.)
8
Once the sauce has finished simmering, pour it over the cooked pasta in the baking dish. Add 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese throughout the pasta mixture, and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Finish with a few shakes of crushed red pepper for added flavor.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden. If you prefer a crispier top, you can bake it a bit longer, but be careful not to let it dry out.
10
Serve hot with a bottle of your favorite wine and enjoy the delightful ambiance of some lovely Italian music.
Nutrition Information
29g
Carbs
16g
Protein
1g
Fiber
250mg
Sodium
45mg
Cholesterol
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Italian Sausage & Mozzarella Baked Ziti?
It is a comforting pasta dish featuring hot Italian sausage, fresh mozzarella, and a savory tomato sauce enriched with white wine and red pepper flakes.
Who inspired this recipe?
The recipe is a twist on a classic dish inspired by the creator's mother, Momma Maglione.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the baked ziti need to cook in the oven?
It should be baked for approximately 45 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What are the main ingredients in this dish?
The main ingredients include ziti pasta, hot Italian sausage, white wine, San Marzano tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and fresh mozzarella cheese.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 350 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 16g of protein.
How much sodium is in each serving?
Each serving contains 250mg of sodium.
How do I prepare the San Marzano tomatoes?
The tomatoes should be combined with red pepper flakes and salt in a blender and blended until smooth.
What is a pro tip for slicing fresh mozzarella?
Freezing the mozzarella balls for a few minutes can make slicing and chopping much easier.
How should the sausage be prepared?
Brown the hot Italian sausage links in a skillet until fully cooked, then slice them diagonally into 1/2 inch thick pieces.
What type of wine is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of white wine.
How long should the tomato sauce simmer?
After adding the pureed tomatoes and sausage to the wine, let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 7x11 inch glass baking dish is ideal for this recipe.
Is the pasta rinsed after boiling?
Yes, after cooking the ziti to al dente, drain it and rinse it under cold water.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed in total?
The recipe requires 2 cups of fresh mozzarella cheese.
How is the cheese distributed in the dish?
Add 1 cup of mozzarella throughout the pasta mixture and sprinkle the remaining cup on top.
Can I make the top crispier?
Yes, you can bake it slightly longer than 45 minutes for a crispier top, though you must be careful not to let the dish dry out.
What should I serve with this meal?
It is best served hot with your favorite bottle of wine and some classic Italian music.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 29g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much cholesterol does this dish contain?
Each serving contains 45mg of cholesterol.
Does this recipe include fiber?
Yes, there is 1g of fiber per serving.
What are some tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include baked ziti, Italian food, one dish meal, comfort food, pasta, sausage, mozzarella, and dinner.
How is the skillet deglazed?
Add the white wine to the reserved sausage drippings and scrape up any browned bits while bringing it to a simmer.
What kind of Italian sausage is specified?
The recipe specifies hot Italian sausage links.
How much salt is used in the sauce?
One teaspoon of salt is blended into the tomato mixture.
What texture should the pasta have before baking?
The ziti should be cooked until it is al dente.
Is this a spicy dish?
It has a hint of heat from the hot Italian sausage and a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 primary ingredients used in this recipe.