Saucy, Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and provides a similar texture.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork can be less expensive.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces calories while provolone can be more affordable.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Pecorino Romano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds a cheesy flavor.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Boil 1 pound of ziti noodles in a medium-sized pot of salted water for 10-11 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water, then drizzle with about 1 teaspoon of olive oil and toss to prevent sticking.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat until shimmering.

Add 1 heaping cup of finely chopped yellow onion and cook until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.

Add 5 cloves of minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add 1 pound of Italian sausage to the pan and crumble it while cooking until mostly browned.

Stir in 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, 3/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper; cook until the sausage is completely browned.

Add a 24 ounce can of tomato sauce and a 14.5 ounce can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes to the pan, along with 3 teaspoons of white granulated sugar; stir well and simmer until slightly thickened.

Stir in 1/4 cup of shredded basil leaves and remove the sauce from heat.

Lightly butter a 9 by 13 pan or use cooking spray.

Spread a small amount of sauce on the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking.

Layer half of the cooked ziti noodles into the prepared pan.

Top the noodles with half of the sauce, ensuring they are well coated.

Dollop 1 cup of ricotta cheese evenly over the sauce and noodles, then gently spread it out.

Add the remaining noodles on top of the ricotta layer.

Pour the remaining sauce over the noodles and gently work it in.

Top with 1.5 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

Cover the pan with foil (spraying the foil with cooking oil to prevent sticking) and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens