Baked Ziti With Italian Sausage

This baked ziti with Italian sausage is extra saucy, cheesy, and full of bold flavor. A rich, comforting pasta bake perfect for family dinners.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds Italian sausage
• 1 1/2 cups onion, (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon garlic, (minced)
• 1/4 cup carrot, (finely grated)
• olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, (including juices)
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup water
• 16 ounces ziti
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 3 cups (about 12 ounces) Mozzarella, (shredded)
• 2 tablespoons parsley or fresh basil, (chopped)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat oven to 350ºF (177ºC), Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside
2. 2In a large pot, brown the sausage (1 1/2 pounds), crumbling in to large pieces. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of drippings from pot. If you do not have that amount remaining, add olive oil to make up the difference.
3. 3Add the onion (1 1/2 cups) and saute over medium-high heat until soft, about 5-6 minutes. Add the grated carrot (1/4 cup), salt (1 teaspoon), and pepper (1/2 teaspoon), and saute until soft. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic (1 tablespoon) and Italian seasoning (3 teaspoons). Saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. 4Add the browned sausage back to the pot. Stir in crushed tomatoes (1 can), tomato sauce (1 can), tomato paste (1 can), bay leaves (2), and water (1/2 cup). Bring to a boil, reduce heat immediately and simmer for a minimum of 30 minutes. Stir in cream (1 cup) and Parmesan cheese (1 cup).
5. 5While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta (16 ounces) according to package instructions to al dente. Drain well and return to the pot. Pour the sauce over the pasta and toss well to coat pasta.
6. 6Pour half of the pasta in the prepared baking dish then sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella over the top. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese.
7. 7Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until heat through and bubbly, about 25-30 minutes. Top with parsley or basil (2 tablespoons) and serve.