Super Easy Baked Ziti Casserole With Sausage

There’s nothing better than a warm and bubbly casserole that’s fresh out of the oven. Our family loves pasta and this easy Baked Ziti Casserole With Sausage is a weekly go-to for us. You just brown the meat, create the sauce around it and pop into the oven with cheese. I know this will be hit on your family table!

This was my Grandmother’s recipe – direct from the cookbook I inherited. What makes a huge difference is the sauce. Starting with sweet Italian sausage and building the sauce around it, really packs a punch of flavor. You add a little red wine to the sauce. You’ll never go back to buying a jar of pasta sauce when you discover how easy it is to make your own.

Our family of four can eat off of this recipe for 3 nights. Even my kids think it’s great. I just microwave the leftovers to reheat. 

Serve baked ziti with a crusty loaf of Italian bread and a side salad. It’s a complete dinner!

Related: Sausage and Ricotta Stuffed Pizza Bread

How To Make Baked Ziti Casserole With Sausage

Preheat the oven to 375º. In a large saucepan, sauté onion and garlic together over medium heat until tender. About 3 minutes total.

Add sausage and sauté until meat is lightly browned.

Add your crushed tomatoes, red wine, basil, thyme, fresh parsley, salt and pepper.

Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes. Be sure to occasionally stir the sauce. In the meantime, cook your pasta until al dente. 

Grease a 14×11 inch baking dish with non-cooking spray. Combine the cooked pasta, tomato sauce, Romano cheese and half of the mozzarella, together in a large bowl.

Gently toss together to combine.

Pour into your baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.

Bake until bubbly, for 20 minutes, until the edges are slightly brown. Let stand and cool for five minutes before serving.

Yield: 8 servings

Easy Baked Ziti Casserole With Sweet Italian Sausage

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Easy & classic baked ziti casserole made with sweet Italian sausage.

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Large Onion, chopped
• 1 Clove Garlic, minced
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 1/2 lbs Sweet Italian Sausage (not in casing)
• 1 Can Crushed Tomatoes (28 oz)
• 1/2 Cup Dry Red Wine
• 1 Teaspoon Crumbled Basil
• 1 Teaspoon Leaf Thyme
• 1 Teaspoon Fresh Italian Parsley, chopped
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
• 1 lb Penne Pasta (Ziti)
• 1/2 Cup Grated Romano Cheese
• 1/2 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375º. In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic together over medium heat until tender. About 3 minutes total.
2. Add sausage and saute until meat is lightly browned.
3. Add your crushed tomatoes, red wine, basil, thyme, fresh parsley, salt and pepper.
4. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes. Be sure to occasionally stir the sauce. In the meantime, cook your pasta until al dente.
5. Grease a 14x11 inch baking dish with non-cooking spray. Combine the cooked pasta, tomato sauce, Romano cheese and half of the mozzarella, together in a large bowl.
6. Gently toss together to combine.
7. Pour into your baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
8. Bake until bubbly, for 20 minutes, until the edges are slightly brown. Let stand and cool for five minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8 Cups

Serving Size:

1 Cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 307 Total Fat: 14g Saturated Fat: 5g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 34mg Sodium: 755mg Carbohydrates: 23g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 2g Protein: 20g

**Nutritional facts are calculated by a third party. Actual values may vary.