Cheesy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage Recipe

If you’re craving a warm, comforting pasta dish that’s bursting with flavor and ooey-gooey cheese, you’ve got to try this Cheesy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a big hug on a plate — perfect for family dinners or when you want to impress friends without a ton of fuss. I absolutely love how the spicy Italian sausage blends with creamy cheeses and fresh basil, making every bite pure comfort. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become your go-to baked pasta recipe.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll notice this recipe balances richness with bright flavors, thanks to garlic, fresh basil, and crushed tomatoes. Each ingredient plays an essential role, so here’s why I recommend using them as listed.

• Ziti noodles: I love ziti for baked dishes because its tubular shape holds onto sauce and cheese perfectly.
• Italian sausage: Whether spicy or sweet, this adds a savory depth. I usually prefer spicy for a nice kick.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must—it gives a fragrant base to your sauce.
• Crushed tomatoes: Use a good quality canned variety for the best flavor and thickness.
• Salt, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes: These simple seasonings balance and enhance the sauce beautifully.
• Heavy cream: It adds richness and helps mellow the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Pecorino Romano cheese: This sharp cheese brings a nice salty bite; Parmesan works well too if you prefer.
• Fresh basil: Adds freshness and a pop of herbal brightness that ties it all together.
• Mozzarella cheese: The melty, stringy cheese that makes this dish irresistibly gooey.

Variations

I’ve played around with this recipe quite a bit, and what I love is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to make it lighter or punch it up with new flavors, there’s room to experiment without losing that classic baked ziti feel.

• Mild or Spicy Sausage: I started with sweet Italian sausage but discovered using spicy gives it a delightful warmth that my family goes crazy for.
• Vegetarian Version: Swap sausage with sautéed mushrooms and zucchini for a hearty veggie-packed option.
• Cheese Variations: Adding ricotta or swapping mozzarella for provolone can create a creamier, richer texture if you like.
• Herb Boost: Sometimes I toss in fresh oregano or thyme for an earthier flavor profile that pairs beautifully with the basil.

How to Make Cheesy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage Recipe

Step 1: Cook Pasta to Perfect Al Dente

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil and add the ziti noodles. Cook for about 7 minutes — just til they’re very al dente. Trust me, undercooking them a bit is key here since they’ll keep cooking in the oven and you don’t want mushy pasta. Once done, drain the noodles and set them aside in the pot. This simple little step helps keep your baked ziti perfectly textured.

Step 2: Brown the Italian Sausage

Heat a large nonstick sauté pan over medium-high. Crumble the Italian sausage as you add it to the pan. By breaking it up with a wooden spoon, you’ll get those perfectly browned little sausage bits throughout the dish. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes until just cooked through, then scoop them out with a slotted spoon onto a plate. This step builds the savory backbone of the sauce.

Step 3: Create the Flavorful Sauce

Drain all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan (and add olive oil if it’s too dry). Add your minced garlic and sauté for about a minute, stirring constantly so it gets soft but never burnt. Toss in the crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Let this simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to develop rich flavors and thicken the sauce just right.

Step 4: Finish the Sauce and Combine with Pasta

Turn heat low and stir in the heavy cream, ⅓ cup of pecorino Romano cheese, cooked sausage, and chopped fresh basil. Mix until everything is evenly combined — this creamy, cheesy sausage sauce is what makes this Cheesy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage Recipe so addictive! Pour the sauce right over the cooked pasta in your pot and give it a gentle stir to coat every piece.

Step 5: Layer and Bake to Golden Perfection

Grab a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and spoon half the pasta mixture in. Sprinkle on half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the remaining grated pecorino Romano. Repeat with the rest of the pasta, mozzarella, and cheese. Pop it in a 425°F oven and bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese melts, bubbles, and gets beautifully browned on top. Once out, sprinkle a bit more fresh basil and you’re ready to dig in!

How to Serve Cheesy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage Recipe

Garnishes

I always top the finished dish with a handful of fresh basil leaves — not only does it add a pop of color, but the herbal brightness perfectly balances the rich cheese and sausage.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are always a crisp green salad with balsamic vinaigrette and garlic bread. The freshness of the salad contrasts beautifully with the cheesy baked ziti, and warm, crusty bread soaks up every last bit of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this in individual ramekins topped with a little extra cheese and basil — it adds charm and helps with portion control. Plus, it looks gorgeous at dinner parties!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After dinner, I transfer leftovers into airtight containers and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. Reheating is straightforward and the flavors only get better overnight.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish multiple times by assembling it fully, covering tightly, and freezing for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to eat it, I thaw it overnight in the fridge — it reheats surprisingly well without losing that cheesy, saucy goodness.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat it is in a preheated oven at 425°F covered with foil for 25 minutes, then uncovered for another 10-15 minutes to get that golden bubbly cheese texture back. Microwave works in a pinch, but I prefer the oven for that fresh-baked feel.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage Recipe is one of those dishes that makes me feel like I’m sharing a slice of home, no matter where I am. It’s rich, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to pull together, making it a real crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re cooking for a hungry family or prepping for a cozy night in, I can’t recommend this enough. Give it a try—you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again, just like I do!

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