ULTIMATE Baked Ziti With Sausage

If you’re a fan of hearty comfort food, then you’re in for a treat. This Baked Ziti With Sausage Recipe is truly the best! This baked ziti with sausage also has ground beef, pepperoni, and ricotta. My baked ziti with sausage recipe is a mouthwatering combination of spicy sausage, rich spaghetti sauce, and layers of gooey, melted cheese. It’s the kind of dish that warms your soul and satisfies your cravings. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special weekend gathering.

Let’s prepare this Ultimate Baked Ziti with Sausage!

Ingredients

MEAT SAUCE

• 45 oz tomato sauce
• 14 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 1/4 lb hot italian sausage
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 onion diced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 tbsp beef bouillon
• 1/2 tsp complete seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 sprig fresh thyme, oregano, basil optional, can sub dried herbs
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup dry red wine optional

RICOTTA MIXTURE

• 16 oz whole milk ricotta
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Vegeta vegetable bouillon or beef bouillon
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• pinch salt
• 1 egg

PASTA

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1/2 tsp beef bouillon

TOPPINGS/ FILLINGS

• 50 pepperonis
• 20 oz Italian cheese blend or mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

PREPARE MEAT SAUCE AND PASTA

• In a skillet over medium heat brown the hot Italian sausage and ground beef, about 7 minutes. Use a paper towel to remove the excess fat if desired.
• Add the onions, garlic, and peppers and sautee for 3 minutes.
• Add the rest of the meat sauce ingredients, mix. Cover and simmer on low for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• In a large pot add water, beef bouillon, and salt. Bring to a rigorous boil.
• Add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than the package instructions.
• Remove 1/2 cup pasta water and set aside.
• Drain the pasta and rinse with cool water.
• Add the pasta and the pasta water to the meat sauce. Cover and simmer on low for 2 minutes. This method gives a rich and delicious flavor to the noodles.

PREPARE THE RICOTTA MIXTURE

• In a bowl combine all the ricotta mixture ingredients. Adjust the salt to taste.

ASSEMBLE THE BAKED ZITI

• In a 9×13 casserole dish pour in 1/2 the pasta with the meat sauce.
• Spread all of the ricotta mixture over the pasta.
• Top with 25 pepperonis and 1/2 the Italian cheese.
• Pour in the rest of the pasta and meat sauce.
• Top with the remaining cheese and pepperonis.

BAKE THE ZITI

• Bake in the oven at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
• Allow it to rest for 5 minutes then serve!

The Ultimate Baked Ziti With Sausage

This Baked Ziti With Sausage Recipe is truly the best! This pasta bake has a rich meat sauce layered with cheesy ricotta. This baked ziti with sausage also has ground beef, pepperoni, and ricotta.

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: baked ziti recipe with pepperoni, baked ziti recipe with sausage, baked ziti recipe with sausage and ground beef

Servings: 7

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

• 45 oz tomato sauce
• 14 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 1/4 lb hot Italian sausage
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 onion diced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 tbsp beef bouillon
• 1/2 tsp complete seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 sprig fresh thyme, oregano, basil optional, can sub dried herbs
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup dry red wine optional

Ricotta Mixture

• 16 oz whole milk ricotta
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Vegeta vegetable bouillon or beef bouillon
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• pinch salt
• 1 egg

Pasta

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1/2 tsp beef bouillon

Toppings/ Fillings

• 50 pepperonis
• 20 oz Italian cheese blend or mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Prepare Meat Sauce And Pasta

• In a skillet over medium heat brown the hot Italian sausage and ground beef, about 7 minutes. Use a paper towel to remove the excess fat if desired.
• Add the onions, garlic, and peppers and sautee for 3 minutes.
• Add the rest of the meat sauce ingredients, mix. Cover and simmer on low for 30- 40 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• In a large pot add water, beef bouillon, and salt. Bring to a rigorous boil.
• Add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than the package instructions.
• Remove 1/2 cup pasta water and set aside.
• Drain the pasta and rinse with cool water.
• Add the pasta and the pasta water to the meat sauce. Cover and simmer on low for 2 minutes. This method gives a rich and delicious flavor to the noodles.

Prepare the Ricotta Mixture

• In a bowl combine all the ricotta mixture ingredients. Adjust the salt to taste.

Assemble the Baked Ziti

• In a 9×13 casserole dish pour in 1/2 the pasta with the meat sauce.
• Spread all of the ricotta mixture over the pasta.
• Top with 25 pepperonis and 1/2 the Italian cheese.
• Pour in the rest of the pasta and meat sauce.
• Top with the remaining cheese and pepperonis.

Bake the Ziti

• Bake in the oven at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
• Allow it to rest for 5 minutes then serve!

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