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baked ziti with sausage

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 9x13 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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