Baked Ziti with Sausage
Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Pancetta, or cured pork belly, is the same thing as bacon without the smoke. Find it in the deli case of most supermarkets. Native to Italy, San Marzano tomatoes are known for their sweet flavor. Consider trying them in place of regular crushed tomatoes in the sauce.
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare ziti according to package directions for al dente.
Step 2
Meanwhile, cook pancetta in a large skillet over medium-high heat 3 minutes. Add onion and garlic, and sauté 3 minutes or until onion is tender. Add sausage, and sauté 5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Add wine, and cook 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and next 3 ingredients. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes.
Step 3
Stir ricotta and 1 cup mozzarella cheese into hot cooked pasta. Lightly grease a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer pasta mixture to prepared dish, and top with sausage mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
Step 4
Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen and Hog & Hominy, East Memphis, TN
You May Like
Good solid casserole
I enjoyed this casserole a lot. It was easy to make, hearty, and tasty. The pancetta was great and added a lot of flavor. After I added it I thought that 1 cup of wine was way too much but the consistency after baking was perfect. The sausage and onions do take on the flavor of the wine so make sure you use good wine.
Passed the Grammy test with flying colors!
I'm very picky about this lend of pasta recipe and my 2 year old grandson is even pickier! I used Italian sausage stuffed w fire roasted tomatoes and mozzarella, but otherwise followed exactly. It's wonderful and will become a regular in Grammy's kitchen!
Arizona Rose
This was one of the best baked pasta dishes ever! My husband and brother totally loved it. The only change I made was using rigatoni instead of ziti, my store did not have ziti.
MarySF's Review
Simply fantastic and easy to make. I loved the pancetta and it was a real pleaser at our place!
kysherie's Review
So, so good. Couldn't find pancetta, so used bacon. Filling…goes a long way. Next time, for my family of 4, I will split into two casserole dishes and freeze one for later.
TheMomChef's Review
We absolutely loved this recipe. I've made one similar to it, but it didn't have near as much flavor as this version did. Using the sausage was a great idea, as was the pancetta and red wine for deglazing. High marks from the whole family on this one. You can read my full review at Taking On Magazines: http://bit.ly/1lwpCRm
southerncharm10's Review
This is a very favorite dish for my husband and me. It is great for a one-entree dinner, a potluck, or our favorite--leftovers. I love salads so served with a salad would be good also. I used bacon instead of pancetta and merlot wine. The second time I made it I mixed about a cup of the meat sauce in the zita and cheese mixture before pouring it into the baking dish and it distributed that yummy sausage flavor throughout. It is on our dinner menu again this week.
Amy2Foreman's Review
Made this recipe for company, as written. Wonderful! Company asked for the recipe and made it for their dinner the next night. Delicious leftovers.
lululover's Review
Absolutely wonderful recipe.... I also substituted with bacon and added a little extra oregano as well. A really delicious flavor that is complimented with the red wine!!
I certainly will make this one again soon!!
The Best Baked Ziti!