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Easy Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Italian Sausage on a spoon

Easy Ricotta Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

This easy baked ziti casserole is loaded with ricotta, mozzarella, sour cream, and cream cheese for a rich and cheesy flavor. Featuring a hearty meat sauce made with Italian sausage and jar sauce, it’s a quick and easy 9x13 dish that’s great for make-ahead meals.
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 people
Calories 733 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound pasta ziti or penne, we use gluten-free
  • olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 pound Italian sausage ground
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic pressed
  • 1 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 44 oz spaghetti sauce
  • 3 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated, divided

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the pasta according to package directions, removing pasta from the water while it is still firm. Drizzle with olive oil to prevent it from sticking while you prepare the sauce.
  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  • While the pasta is cooking, make the meat sauce. Heat a tablespoon or so of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Heat the sausage, crumbling it as it cooks. Add the onion and sauté until it is translucent and soft. Press the garlic into the skillet and add the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and 32 oz of spaghetti sauce. Mix well and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, softened cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of mozzarella, and ½ cup of Parmesan. Mix well.
  • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Mix a couple of spoonfuls of the reserved pasta sauce in with the pasta, then spread half of that saucy pasta in the pan. Drop spoonfuls of the cheese mixture over the pasta, using about half of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers (meat sauce, saucy pasta, ricotta mixture, mozzarella), then pour the rest of the reserved sauce over the top.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of Parmesan cheese.
  • Cover with foil and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 additional minutes or until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 733kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 1619mg | Potassium: 945mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1526IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 481mg | Iron: 4mg
Keyword cheese, cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, pasta, ricotta, sausage, sour cream
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