Baked Ziti with Sausage (Print Format)

Hearty ziti layers with sausage, ricotta, and bubbling cheese for a satisfying and flavorful dinner.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Sauces

01 - 16 ounces ziti pasta
02 - 2 (24 ounces) jars marinara sauce
03 - 15 ounces diced tomatoes, drained

→ Proteins

04 - 1 pound Italian sausage
05 - 1 pound ground beef
06 - 1 egg

→ Cheese

07 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 15 ounces ricotta cheese

→ Vegetables & Seasonings

10 - ½ yellow onion, diced
11 - 1 bell pepper, diced
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
13 - ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
14 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
15 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, diced onion, and bell pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Add Italian sausage and ground beef. Cook until no pink remains, then drain excess grease.
03 - Add marinara sauce, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir and bring to a simmer. Add the cooked pasta and mix until well combined.
04 - In a small mixing bowl, stir together ricotta cheese and egg until fully combined.
05 - In a 9x13 casserole dish, layer the meat sauce and pasta mixture, spread a thin layer of the ricotta mixture on top, and repeat the process twice more, finishing with a top layer of pasta.
06 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes. Remove the foil and broil on high for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
07 - Remove from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy!

# Tips:

01 - Allow the ziti to cool slightly before serving for cleaner portions.