This pasta dish is the definition of comfort food. It is a version of baked Ziti that is cooked all in one pot, where the pasta is cooked right in the sauce which imparts amazing flavor into the pasta. Topped with the creamy ricotta cheese and fresh mozzarella, you cannot stop eating it.
TIPS: You can substitute penne for the ziti pasta if you prefer it, just be sure you do not precook the pasta as you want to add it in dry. If you like meatier pasta, add the extra 4 oz of ground beef or an additional 4 oz of ground sausage. Try not to use bagged pre-shredded mozzarella cheese, but rather buy a ball of fresh mozzarella and grate it with a shredder.
Baked Ziti with Sausage (One-Pot)
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz sweet or mild ground Italian sausage meat
- 4 oz lean ground beef (optional)
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 28-oz can tomato sauce
- 1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 C water
- 12 oz dried ziti (or penne) (about 3 3/4 Cups)
- 6 Tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 4-5 oz fresh baby spinach chopped coarse
- 6 oz fresh whole milk mozzarella cheese, divided (3/4 Cup shredded and 3/4 Cup cubed)
- 1 C grated parmesan cheese divided
- 8 oz fresh ricotta cheese (1 Cup)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium to large dutch oven. Add ground sausage and ground beef (if using) and sauté over medium high heat, breaking up with a spoon, until cooked through and lightly browned. Add garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in salt, oregano, sugar and red pepper flakes and cook about 1 minute. Add in tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, with their juice, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in water, dried pasta, and 4 Tbsp of the basil. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered, stirring often, until pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm (al dente) about 8-9 minutes.
- Adjust oven rack to about 8 inches below broiler and heat broiler.
- Remove pot from heat. Stir in spinach, 3/4 C shredded fresh mozarella, 1/2 C parmesan until blended and spinach starts to wilt. Top with dollops of fresh ricotta, then remaining cubed mozzarella and shredded parmesan.
- Place pot under broiler and broil until cheese is bubbling and begins to brown, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest about 10 minutes. Top with remaining fresh basil and serve.
- Enjoy!