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The Boat Shed Kitchen

Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Sausage

This Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Sausage is a baked pasta casserole that’s loaded with Italian sausage, creamy ricotta filling, and layers of melty cheese. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a family or entertaining guests. Every bite is rich, comforting, and packed with flavor.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rest Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil – plus more to drizzle over pasta
  • 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic – minced
  • 32 oz marinara sauce
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • ¾ cups shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Kosher salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Chopped basil optional for garnish

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 dish with cooking spray.
  2. Boil salted water, cook pasta to al dente, drain, and drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Brown sausage in a skillet, add garlic, cook 1 more minute, then drain fat.
  4. In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, ¾ cup mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan, basil, seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  5. Mix pasta with sausage, ricotta mix, and all but ½ cup marinara. Toss.
  6. Spread ½ cup marinara in baking dish, add half of pasta mix, top with half cheese. Repeat.
  7. Bake 25–30 min until golden and bubbly.
  8. See full steps with tips & photos → https://theboatshedcafe.com/cheesy-baked-ziti-with-ricotta-and-sausage/

Notes

• For a lighter version, use part-skim ricotta and mozzarella.
• Ground turkey or chicken can replace sausage for a leaner protein.
• You can assemble ahead and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.