Baked Ziti with Fire Roasted Tomatoes

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this irresistible Baked Ziti with Fire-Roasted Tomatoes. Loaded with tender ziti pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a luscious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, this dish is elevated by the smoky depth of fire-roasted tomatoes. The homemade tomato sauce, infused with garlic, onions, and a medley of Italian herbs, delivers bold, authentic flavor. Perfectly baked to golden, bubbly perfection, this hearty casserole feeds a crowd and is an ideal choice for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Garnished with fresh parsley for a vibrant touch, this baked ziti recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a must-try for any pasta lover.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 ounces Ziti pasta
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 3 large Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
• 28 ounces Crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground black pepper
• 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, half of the tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Stir until well mixed.

Step 8

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the remaining tomato sauce on the bottom.

Step 9

Add the ziti mixture to the baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 10

Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top of the pasta. Spread it out with a spoon.

Step 11

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top.

Step 12

Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 13

Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.

Step 14

Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2597.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5189.8

Total Fat 284.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 119.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 821.4mg	0%
Sodium 9516.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 449.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.7g	0%
Total Sugars 54.6g
Protein 245.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 4153.5mg	0%
Iron 30.5mg	0%
Potassium 4057.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.9%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 33.7%