For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a splash of dry red wine to the sauce while it simmers. Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spiciness. If you don't have fennel seeds, you can substitute with a pinch of anise seed or omit them altogether. Make sure to drain the cooked ziti very well to prevent a watery sauce.
Three-Cheese Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
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PREP TIME30 mins
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COOK TIME40 mins
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TOTAL TIME1 hrs 25 mins
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SERVING12 People
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VIEWS13
This hearty baked ziti is a comforting symphony of flavors, featuring the richness of Italian sausage and a decadent blend of three cheeses. It's a satisfying twist on a classic, omitting ricotta for a bolder, meatier experience.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate47 g
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Cholesterol44 mg
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Fiber5 g
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Protein21 g
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Saturated Fat9 g
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Sodium1145 mg
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Sugar11 g
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Fat23 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
StepPreheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 4-quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick spray. Combine mozzarella and Italian blend cheeses in a bowl and place in the refrigerator. (5 minutes)
02
StepBring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 11 minutes. Drain well. (15 minutes)
03
StepHeat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage and break it up into small pieces. Sprinkle baking soda over the sausage, then add diced onion and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking up any clumps, until the sausage is browned and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease. (10 minutes)
04
StepAdd pasta sauce, sliced olives, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, anchovy paste, ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to the Dutch oven. Add up to 3 more tablespoons of olive oil if desired. Stir until the mixture comes to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring regularly, until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the drained ziti pasta. (15 minutes)
05
StepSpread half of the sauced ziti mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese mixture evenly over the top. Spoon the remaining ziti mixture over the cheese layer, being careful not to disturb the layers underneath (it's okay if some ziti remains exposed, as it will brown beautifully during baking). Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese mixture evenly over the top, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. (10 minutes)
06
StepBake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to set slightly. (40 minutes)
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Yasmin Steuber
Jun 30, 2025The fennel seeds really make the dish special.
Aiyana Shanahan
Jun 26, 2025I doubled the recipe and it worked perfectly. Great for feeding a crowd.
Wilfrid Wehner
Jun 24, 2025So much better than the traditional ricotta version! This is my go-to baked ziti recipe now.
Dianna Armstrong
Jun 22, 2025I made this for a potluck, and it was a huge hit. Everyone asked for the recipe!
Desmond Hartmann
Jun 22, 2025I used gluten-free ziti and it came out great!
Ralph Franecki
Jun 21, 2025The anchovy paste adds a great depth of flavor that you can't quite put your finger on. Don't skip it!
Oscar Willms
Jun 19, 2025I added some roasted red peppers to the sauce, and it was delicious.
Lilyan Durgan
Jun 16, 2025This is a definite keeper!
Abelardo Heller
Jun 13, 2025This recipe is amazing! The sausage adds so much flavor, and my family devoured it.
Alena Purdy
Jun 10, 2025Simple to follow and the result is restaurant-quality. A winner!