Ziti with Hot Sausage Sauce

Get ready to savor the rich, bold flavors of Ziti with Hot Sausage Sauce—a comforting Italian-inspired dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. This quick and satisfying recipe combines tender ziti pasta with a hearty sauce made from spicy hot Italian sausage, savory crushed tomatoes, and a fragrant blend of oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. The sauce is balanced with a touch of sweetness from granulated sugar, while garlic and onion add layers of flavor. Topped with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With just 10 minutes of prep and a total cook time of 30 minutes, it's an easy yet impressive choice for pasta lovers. Keywords: Ziti with Hot Sausage, spicy sausage pasta, Italian pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 1 lb hot Italian sausage
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, crumble the hot Italian sausage into the pan and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Add the cooked ziti to the skillet with the sausage sauce. Toss gently to ensure the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce.

Step 7

Serve the ziti hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1938.8 grams (1938.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3820

Total Fat 158.40g	203%
Saturated Fat 52.20g	261%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 407mg	136%
Sodium 9004mg	391%
Total Carbohydrate 435.90g	159%
Dietary Fiber 42.50g	152%
Total Sugars 70.50g
Protein 183.00g	366%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 852mg	66%
Iron 28mg	155%
Potassium 2284mg	49%

*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: 36.5%

Protein: 18.8%

Carbs: 44.7%