Perfect Potluck Dish Sausage and Pepper Baked Ziti

Discover your go-to comfort dish with this Perfect Potluck Dish Sausage and Pepper Baked Ziti, a crowd-pleasing casserole that’s as hearty as it is flavorful. This recipe combines tender ziti pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a vibrant medley of sautéed bell peppers and onions, all simmered in a robust tomato sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning. Rich ricotta and gooey layers of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese deliver the ultimate creamy texture, while a touch of crushed red pepper flakes adds optional heat. Baked to golden perfection and topped with fresh parsley, this dish is easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings, weeknight dinners, or any occasion that calls for comforting, cheesy indulgence. Ready in just about an hour, this baked ziti guarantees smiles and satisfied appetites around the table!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.

Step 2

Cook the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just shy of al dente (about 2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the bell peppers and onion. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, mixing it into the sauce. Remove the skillet from heat.

Step 7

In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked ziti pasta, sausage and pepper sauce, and ricotta cheese. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients.

Step 8

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 9

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2562.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4705.5

Total Fat 231.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 94.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 687.0mg	0%
Sodium 8709.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 434.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.2g	0%
Total Sugars 57.9g
Protein 234.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3461.3mg	0%
Iron 32.8mg	0%
Potassium 4002.5mg	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: 43.8%

Protein: 19.7%

Carbs: 36.5%