Cheesy Baked Ziti Delight

This Cheesy Baked Ziti Delight is the ultimate comfort food, layered with Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and three types of cheese for a deliciously satisfying meal. Perfect for cozy family dinners, it's a hearty, cheesy, and flavor-packed pasta bake that everyone will love.

• Ziti pasta (or penne): 1 lb, cooked 2-3 minutes less than package directions
• Italian sausage: 1 lb, adds savory flavor and depth
• Onion: 1 medium, chopped for aromatic flavor
• Garlic: 4-5 cloves, minced, adds depth of flavor
• Italian seasoning: ½ tsp, enhances Italian flavors
• Red pepper flakes: ¼ tsp (optional), for a subtle heat
• Crushed tomatoes: 1 (28 oz) can, for a rich tomato base
• Heavy cream: 1 cup, adds creaminess to the sauce
• Salt: ½ tsp, for seasoning
• Pepper: to taste, for seasoning
• Sugar: 1 tsp, balances acidity of tomatoes
• Ricotta cheese: 8 oz, adds creaminess to the casserole
• Parmesan cheese: 1 cup, grated, adds sharp, nutty flavor
• Mozzarella: 2 cups, shredded, for melty, gooey topping

Step 1:

Prepare Pasta: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta 2-3 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.

Step 2:

Cook Sausage Mixture: In a large pot, cook sausage and onion until browned (7-10 minutes). Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute.

Step 3:

Make Sauce: Add crushed tomatoes, cream, salt, pepper, and sugar to the sausage mixture. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 4:

Assemble Dish: In a 9x13 casserole, layer half the pasta mixture. Spoon ricotta over it for a cheesy layer. Add remaining pasta mixture on top.

Step 5:

Top with Cheese: Sprinkle with Parmesan and mozzarella.

Step 6:

Bake and Broil: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until bubbly, then broil until cheese is golden.

• Serve with a fresh side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

• If you like extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
• You can substitute penne pasta if you don't have ziti on hand.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

• For a deeper flavor, use a mix of sweet and hot Italian sausage.

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