Easy Ziti Al Forno Recipe

Name: Easy Ziti Al Forno
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb ziti pasta or 1 lb ziti rigati or 1 lb penne or 1 lb penne rigate; 1 lb mild Italian sausage or 1 lb hot Italian sausage, casings removed; 1 onion, diced; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 (26 ounce) jars tomato sauce (marinara style); 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 pinch fennel seed, crushed fine or ground; 12 ounces ricotta cheese; 1 egg, lightly beaten; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; salt, to taste; ground black pepper, to taste; 1 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded

Servings: persons

1 lb ziti pasta or 1 lb ziti rigati or 1 lb penne or 1 lb penne rigate
1 lb mild Italian sausage or 1 lb hot Italian sausage, casings removed
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (26 ounce) jars tomato sauce (marinara style)
1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pinch fennel seed, crushed fine or ground
12 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
1 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded

1
Preheat oven to 350F
2
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
3
Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
4
Place sausage in a large, deep skillet.
5
Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown.
6
Drain, crumble and set aside.
7
In same skillet, saute onion until soft and translucent.
8
Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
9
Add marinara, 1 1/2 tsp basil, 1 1/2 tsp oregano, fennel, salt and pepper and heat through.
10
In a bowl, blend ricotta with egg, 1 tsp basil, 1 tsp oregano, salt and pepper.
11
Spread bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with sauce.
12
Layer 1/2 of the ziti, 1/2 the sausage, 1/2 of the ricotta, and one-third of the mozzarella.
13
Spoon half of the sauce over top.
14
Repeat layers.
15
Reserve the last one-third of the mozzarella.
16
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
17
Top with remaining mozzarella and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

1023

kcal

Calories

Fat

114

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 lb ziti pasta or 1 lb ziti rigati or 1 lb penne or 1 lb penne rigate, 1 lb mild Italian sausage or 1 lb hot Italian sausage, casings removed, 1 onion, diced, 2 garlic cloves, minced, and more.

Yes, Easy Ziti Al Forno falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Easy Ziti Al Forno

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions