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Dinner

Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti Casserole

This cozy pasta bake is packed with Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and plenty of melty cheese.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Italian· July 15, 2026
Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti Casserole
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
25 minutes
Total
40 minutes
Serves
6

There is nothing quite as comforting as a big pan of baked pasta after a long day. This dish brings together everything we love about a slow cooked Sunday dinner but keeps the preparation simple enough to manage on a busy weeknight.

My best tip for this recipe is to slightly undercook your pasta when boiling it. It will finish cooking in the oven while it soaks up all those delicious juices from the sauce, which keeps the texture perfect instead of mushy.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.

  2. 2

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti for about two minutes less than the package instructions say.

  3. 3

    While the pasta cooks, brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until it is fully cooked through.

  4. 4

    Drain any excess fat from the sausage and stir in the marinara sauce and dried oregano.

  5. 5

    In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, the beaten egg, and half of the parmesan cheese.

  6. 6

    Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Stir in the ricotta mixture until the noodles are well coated.

  7. 7

    Pour half of the pasta into your baking dish and spread it out evenly.

  8. 8

    Pour half of the meat sauce over the pasta and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella.

  9. 9

    Repeat with the remaining pasta, sauce, and the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan.

  10. 10

    Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

💡 Tips

Serve this dish with a side of warm garlic bread or a crisp green salad to round out the meal. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. This casserole also freezes well if you want to prepare it ahead of time.

#pasta#dinner#comfort food#casserole#easy dinner

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