Ziti al Forno: Baked Ziti with Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Italian Sausage

Baked Ziti is a classic Italian-American dish that beautifully combines ziti pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, gooey mozzarella, and flavorful Italian sausage. The pasta is baked to perfection, resulting in a warm and comforting meal that is perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in.

Ingredients:

For the Sauce:
• 1 pound mild Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Pasta and Cheese Mixture:
• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sauce:
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Return the sausage to the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Cook the Pasta:
While the sauce simmers, cook the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until just al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

3. Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup of the grated Parmesan, the beaten egg, and chopped parsley (if using).

4. Assemble the Dish:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large baking dish, spread a layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Place half of the cooked ziti on top of the sauce. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the ziti, then top with another layer of sauce. Repeat with the remaining ziti, cheese mixture, and sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and the remaining 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan evenly over the top.

5. Bake:
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and slightly golden brown.

6. Serve:
Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy your hearty and delicious Ziti al Forno!