Baked Ziti Sausage Cheese (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 -
1 lb ziti noodles
→ Protein
02 -
1½ lbs ground spicy or sweet Italian sausage
→ Sauce
03 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
04 -
1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
05 -
1 teaspoon salt
06 -
1½ teaspoons sugar
07 -
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
08 -
1 cup heavy cream
09 -
⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
→ Cheese
10 -
⅓ cup plus 3 tablespoons grated pecorino Romano cheese
11 -
8 oz whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
# Instructions:
01 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti noodles and cook for very al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain and return the pasta to the pot. Set aside.
02 -
Preheat the oven to 425°F and set the oven rack in the middle position.
03 -
Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Crumble the sausage into the pan and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned and just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate.
04 -
Drain all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until soft but not browned, about 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, and red pepper flakes; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
05 -
Add the heavy cream, ⅓ cup pecorino Romano, cooked sausage, and basil to the pan. Stir until evenly combined. Pour the mixture into the large pot with the pasta and gently stir.
06 -
Spoon half of the pasta mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1½ tablespoons of pecorino Romano. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and pecorino Romano.
07 -
Transfer to the oven and bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with additional basil before serving.
08 -
The dish can be assembled and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Bake refrigerated or defrosted at 425°F, covered with foil, for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
# Notes:
01 -
For best results, undercook the pasta slightly as it will continue cooking in the oven.