Best Baked Ziti Casserole with Italian Sausage
A hearty Italian-American pasta casserole layering tender ziti with savory Italian sausage, creamy ricotta mixture, and melted mozzarella cheese. The tomato soup base creates a rich, comforting sauce that binds everything together perfectly. This crowd-pleasing dish works beautifully for family dinners, potluck gatherings, or meal prep. The combination of three cheeses provides incredible richness while the sausage adds satisfying protein and bold flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked ziti pastapenne or rigatoni1:1ingredient
Any tube-shaped pasta works well
- 1 lb bulk Italian pork sausage
- 1 can Progresso heart healthy tomato soup with Parmesan, 18.5 oz
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 4 oz
- chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 375°F
- 2
Cook and drain pasta as directed on package
- 3
Cook sausage in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink
- 4
Drain sausage
- 5
Add soup, pepper and cooked pasta to sausage and stir well
- 6
Mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and egg in small bowl
- 7
Spoon pasta mixture into ungreased 11x7-inch glass baking dish
- 8
Spoon ricotta cheese mixture on top
- 9
Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese
- 10
Spray sheet of foil with cooking spray and cover baking dish with foil, sprayed side down
- 11
Bake 25 to 30 minutes, removing foil last 10 minutes of bake time, until cheese melts and mixture is hot and bubbly
- 12
Sprinkle with basil
Tips
Spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent the cheese from sticking when you remove it during the final baking stage.
Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set up and make serving easier.
Use a mix of mild and hot Italian sausage for extra flavor depth if you enjoy some heat.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days
Can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking
Serve hot directly from the baking dish
Common Mistakes
Don't skip draining the sausage to avoid a greasy casserole
Cover with foil to prevent cheese from burning during initial baking time
Substitutions
Any tube-shaped pasta works well
FAQ
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit the sausage and add extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for flavor and texture.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, assemble the casserole without baking, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
What if I don't have an 11x7-inch dish?
Use any 2-quart baking dish. A 9x9-inch square pan or 8x10-inch rectangular dish work perfectly as substitutes.