Classic Baked Ziti Recipe
Prep Time:
5 minutes
Cook Time:
40 minutes
Servings:
4 Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 pound uncooked ziti pasta
  • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ cup Cabernet Sauvignon or other dry red wine
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon pepper
  • 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces (½ pound) fresh mozzarella, torn or sliced
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  2. Cook pasta just under al dente — about 2 minutes under package directions. Drain and set aside the pasta.
  3. Meanwhile, cook the sausage in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, crumbling as it cooks. Once browned, remove the sausage from the skillet with a slotted spoon, leaving the grease in the skillet.
  4. Sauté the onions in the skillet over medium heat until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  5. Add the tomato paste and combine it into the onions and garlic, using the back of your spoon to incorporate. Cook until the tomato paste darkens slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  6. Deglaze the pan with red wine, stirring to incorporate. Allow the red wine to reduce completely, for 2 to 3 minutes; do not allow anything to burn.
  7. Once the wine is reduced, add the tomato sauce and seasonings, including salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
  8. Add the reserved sausage and cooked ziti back into the sauce. Stir to combine.
  9. Fold in the ricotta. The sauce should take on a rosy pink hue.
  10. Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13-inch (or larger) baking dish. Sprinkle on the Parmesan, then top with mozzarella slices. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
  11. If a crust is desired, turn the broiler to high and place the dish on the top rack, with the ziti 5 inches from the heat source. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is browned and crispy on top. Remove from oven.
  12. Top with parsley (if desired) and serve.