Italian Ziti Medley

Indulge in the comforting flavors of classic Italian cuisine with this hearty Italian Ziti Medley! This baked ziti recipe features perfectly al dente pasta layered with a rich, savory tomato sauce infused with the bold flavors of ground Italian sausage, garlic, and aromatic herbs like basil and oregano. Creamy ricotta cheese, gooey mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan come together for a decadent, cheesy filling that melts beautifully in the oven. Topped with golden, bubbly cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this crowd-pleasing dish is as stunning as it is delicious. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this Italian baked ziti will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb Italian sausage, ground
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, half of the Parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley. Mix well.

Step 7

In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked ziti, followed by half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Pour half of the remaining meat sauce over the ricotta layer. Repeat with the rest of the ziti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce.

Step 8

Top the assembled dish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Step 9

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 10

Garnish with the remaining 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2452.3 grams (2452.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4712

Total Fat 239.50g	307%
Saturated Fat 98.20g	491%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 684mg	228%
Sodium 8111mg	353%
Total Carbohydrate 438.20g	159%
Dietary Fiber 39.70g	142%
Total Sugars 61.00g
Protein 223.90g	448%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3419mg	263%
Iron 31mg	174%
Potassium 3698mg	79%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.9%

Protein: 18.6%

Carbs: 36.5%