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Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ricotta & Sausage – Comfort Food

Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ricotta & Sausage – Comfort Food

Description

Welcome to this delicious Cheesy Oven-Baked Ziti with Ricotta & Sausage recipe! Imagine perfectly al dente pasta, savory Italian sausage, and creamy ricotta cheese all baked together under a blanket of melted mozzarella. This easy-to-make Italian-inspired comfort dish is perfect for cozy dinners, gatherings, or Sunday suppers. Let’s dive into the detailed steps and tips to master this irresistible meal.

Ingredients

Scale

 

  • 1 lb dried ziti pasta (or any other short tubular pasta like penne or rigatoni)
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (spicy or sweet, casings removed)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 sweet onion (diced into ¼-inch pieces)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh oregano leaves (or 2 tsp dried oregano)
  • 4 cloves garlic (grated)
  • ½–1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
  • ½ tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • ½ cup red wine (such as Chianti)
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 5 ounces fresh baby spinach (or thinly sliced Swiss chard leaves)
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt (plus more for seasoning pasta water)
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese (grated, divided)
  • 1 lemon (zested, about 1–2 tsp)
  • 1 lb fresh mozzarella cheese (shredded or ripped)

Optional Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option.
  • Chicken sausage for a lighter version.
  • Non-dairy ricotta and mozzarella for a dairy-free alternative.

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

  1. Boil the Pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Add the ziti and cook until al dente (typically 2-3 minutes less than the package suggests).
  2. Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.
  3. Drain and Set Aside: Drain the pasta and set aside while preparing the sauce.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

  1. Heat Olive Oil: In a large Dutch oven or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Cook Sausage: Add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces with a spatula. This should take about 4-6 minutes.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

  1. Add Onions & Garlic: Add diced onion and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until softened.
  2. Add Spices & Tomato Paste: Stir in oregano, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 4: Create the Sauce

  1. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the red wine and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits.
  2. Add Tomatoes: Once the wine reduces by half, add the crushed tomatoes. Stir until well combined.

Step 5: Incorporate Spinach

  1. Wilt the Greens: Add the spinach and cook until just wilted.
  2. Season with Salt & Pepper: Add 1 tsp Kosher salt and ¼ tsp black pepper.

Step 6: Combine Pasta & Sauce

  1. Mix in Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce along with ¼ cup reserved pasta water.
  2. Stir Well: Mix until the sauce evenly coats the pasta.

Step 7: Prepare the Ricotta Mixture

  1. Mix Ricotta & Cheese: In a large bowl, combine ricotta, ¾ cup grated Pecorino Romano, and lemon zest.
  2. Stir Until Smooth: Mix until the ricotta mixture is smooth and well-blended.

Step 8: Assemble the Ziti

  1. Layer in Baking Dish: Spread half the pasta and sauce mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Dollop Ricotta Mixture: Spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta.
  3. Repeat: Top with remaining pasta and ricotta. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly on top.

Step 9: Bake

  1. Bake Until Bubbly: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
  2. Broil for a Crisp Top: Broil for 2-3 minutes for a golden-brown crust.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy!

  1. Garnish & Serve: Let the ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or oregano.

Equipment

Notes

  1. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and high-quality cheese make a noticeable difference.
  2. Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Slightly undercook the pasta to avoid a mushy texture after baking.
  3. Experiment with Sausage: Try using spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick.
  4. Layering is Key: Layering the pasta and cheese mixture ensures every bite has a perfect blend of flavors.

Find it online: https://optimalrecipes.com/cheesy-baked-ziti-with-ricotta-sausage-comfort-food/