Lasagna Style Baked Ziti
You know those days. You just want to make a whole bunch of comfort food and mow down. Then promptly sit on the couch in your sweatpants and veg out really hard, while watching some Guys Grocery Games. This recipe was totally one of those types of meals! This Lasagna Style Baked Ziti is like a mash up of a creamy lasagna and a cheesy ziti! The Italian sausage was bold and juicy, the tomato sauce was hearty and delicious, and that ricotta cheese layer was the perfect spoonful of comfort! The Italian spices brought so much depth and that gooey mozzarella cheese pull? Unreal. Then there's this surprising pesto flavor that comes through! This was delicious!
Equipment
Ingredients
For the lasagna style baked ziti:
- 1 lb Italian Sausage mild or hot
- 12 oz Cavatappi
- 1 Yellow Onion diced
- 4 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 - 28 oz Can Crushed Tomatoes
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Pesto
- 1 ½ tsp Dried Basil
- 1 tsp Rosemary minced
- 1 tsp Thyme minced
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Dried Oregano
- ½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
For the cheese layer:
- 15 oz Whole Milk Ricotta
- 1 Egg
- ½ cup Parmesan freshly shredded
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Hot Pasta Water
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg
For serving:
- Parsley minced
- Parmesan freshly shredded
Instructions
To prep:
- Get out a large pot, boil some salty water, and preheat oven to 375℉.
- Cook the cavatappi to package instructions and make sure to reserve 1 tbsp hot starchy pasta water before draining and setting the pasta aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, let's make the sauce!
To make the meat sauce:
- In a large skillet on medium heat, cook Italian sausage until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks, 5-7 minutes.
- When sausage is done, drain, if necessary (mine didn't need it), then move to a bowl covered with foil until ready to use.
- In that same skillet, with the little bit of sausage grease in there, melt the butter on medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent.
- Next, add the garlic, crushed red pepper, fresh rosemary, and thyme and cook until the garlic is fragrant, 1 minute, stirring often so the garlic and herbs don't burn.
- Dollop the tomato paste in, stir and let that cook for a minute.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, the rest of the spices, and bring everything to a simmer.
- Turn heat to medium low and simmer 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Next, add the dollop of pesto, the cooked sausage, give everything a good stir and cook another minute or so to warm everything through.
- Remove from heat and set aside until ready to use. Now let's get started on the cheese layer!
To make the cheese layer:
- Add all ingredients for the cheese layer to a large bowl including that hot pasta water we reserved.
- Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and whipped! It should literally appear airy, that's when it's ready!
- Set aside for now.
To assemble the lasagna style baked ziti:
- Grease a 9x13 baking pan and get out another large bowl.
- Add the cooked pasta to the bowl and add 2/3 of the meat sauce to it, toss to combine.
- Next, add half of the pasta to the prepared pan in an even layer.
- Add the cheese mixture over the pasta, using the back of a spoon to spread it out into an even layer.
- Next add the rest of the pasta in an even layer, smoothing it out with a different spoon.
- Add the rest of the meat sauce, smooth it out into an even layer, then top with mozzarella.
To bake and serve:
- Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, until melty and golden!
- Let the lasagna style baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving with some more fresh parmesan and parsley! Enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving: 1.3cupsCalories: 585kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 32gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 1300mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 420mgIron: 3.5mg
Please be aware that nutritional values are approximate and intended as a helpful guide
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
