Description
Looking for the best baked pasta idea? This easy, zesty baked pasta is quick, hearty, and cheesy! A simple dinner recipe perfect for weeknights, family gatherings, or freezer meals. Made with spicy sausage, rich marinara, and layers of cheese, it’s a crowd-pleasing comfort food classic everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti or penne pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta until just al dente, drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add sausage and cook until browned. Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta with 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup parmesan.
- Mix pasta with sausage sauce. In a greased 9×13 dish, layer pasta, ricotta mixture, and more mozzarella. Repeat layers.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake 10–15 more minutes until bubbly and golden. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Add red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Swap sausage for mushrooms to make it vegetarian.
- Assemble ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Freeze in portions for easy future meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 70mg