Cheater Baked Ziti
Cheater Baked Ziti is an easy shortcut version of a classic Italian-American pasta casserole.Tender pasta is coated in rich marinara and layered with creamy ricotta.Italian sausage adds savory flavor and satisfying richness.Mozzarella melts over the top into a golden, bubbly crust.Jarred marinara dramatically reduces preparation time.Serve it with garlic bread and salad for an easy family dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot
- 1 jar (24–32 ounces) marinara sauce
- 15 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- Olive oil, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.Add the ziti and cook until just al dente, following the package instructions.Do not overcook the pasta because it will continue cooking in the oven.Drain well and set aside.
Brown the Sausage
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.Add the Italian sausage and cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.Continue cooking until thoroughly browned.Drain excess grease if necessary.
Add the Marinara
- Add the marinara sauce to the browned sausage.Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.Simmer for approximately 5 minutes.Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Combine the Pasta and Sauce
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet containing the sausage and marinara.Stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated.
Build the First Layer
- Spread approximately half of the sauced pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.Spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta.Spread it gently across the surface
Add the Second Layer
- Add the remaining pasta mixture.Spread it evenly over the ricotta layer.Dollop the remaining ricotta mixture across the top.
Add the Cheese
- Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups mozzarella evenly over the casserole.Add a little extra Parmesan if desired.The generous cheese topping is what gives baked ziti its irresistible golden crust.
Cover and Bake
- Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil.Bake for approximately 20 minutes.
Uncover and Finish Baking
- Remove the foil.Return the casserole to the oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden.For a deeper golden top, place the casserole under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
Rest Before Serving
- Remove the baked ziti from the oven.Let it rest for approximately 10 minutes before serving.This gives the cheese and sauce time to settle and makes the casserole easier to portion.
Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil.Serve hot with garlic bread, a green salad, or roasted vegetables
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta: It should remain slightly firm because it continues cooking in the oven.
- Jarred sauce is the shortcut: Use a flavorful marinara for the best result.
- Whole-milk ricotta: It provides a richer and creamier filling than low-fat varieties.
- Sausage: Italian sausage adds substantial flavor, but ground beef can also be used.
- Cheese blend: Ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan provide different textures and flavors.
- Resting: Allowing the casserole to rest helps it hold together when served.
- Broiling: Watch carefully when broiling because the cheese can burn quickly.
- Make-ahead: The casserole can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before baking.