Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage Casserole

Gather around, folks, for a dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds—Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage. This casserole is a true crowd-pleaser, marrying the robust flavors of Italian sausage with the comforting embrace of pasta and cheese. Whether you’re feeding a family or entertaining friends, this recipe promises a warm, hearty meal that feels like a hug in a dish.

I love to spice things up with hot Italian sausage, but if your taste buds favor a milder approach, sweet Italian sausage works just as wonderfully. You’ll start by sizzling the sausage in a skillet, then boil your ziti to al dente perfection. Once everything’s cooked, toss it all together in your pasta pot with some savory marinara sauce, then layer it into a casserole dish, top with mozzarella, and bake until bubbly and golden. And while optional, a sprinkle of fresh basil and a generous handful of Parmesan truly elevate this dish to sublime heights.

Here’s how you whip up this comforting classic:

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed, choose hot or sweet according to your preference)

1/2 yellow onion, finely diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 pound dry ziti pasta

1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves (optional, but recommended)

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but for cheese lovers, it’s a must)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This gets things nice and hot for baking later.

Brown the sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the sausage until nicely browned. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then add the onions and garlic. Cook for about a minute until the onions are translucent and everything smells heavenly.

Cook the pasta: While the sausage is doing its thing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti according to the package instructions until just al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.

Mix it all together: To the pasta, add the cooked sausage, marinara sauce, salt, and pepper. If you’re feeling fancy, stir in the chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese here. Give everything a good toss to make sure the pasta is well coated with all that saucy goodness …