Cheesy Baked Ziti

If you love lasagna but hate the tedious process of making it, then allow us to introduce you to Baked Ziti with Sausages.

It’s a classic Italian comfort food with enough cheesy goodness to make you forget lasagna.

Health Benefits:

Ricotta cheese used abundantly in Baked Ziti with Sausage is pretty good for our health. It contains protein and calcium along with vitamin A. It fuels our brain cells and tissues, and supports healthy red blood cell functions.

Following is the nutritional chart for one serving of Baked Ziti with Sausage:

Energy                  649 cal

Protein                 30.7 g

Carbohydrates  68.9 g

Fat                         27.4 g

Saturated Fat    12 g

Fiber                     5.9 g

Cholesterol        86 mg

Ingredients

pound mild Italian sausage: 1

egg: 1

large yellow onion (minced): 1

tsp dried oregano: 1

tsp freshly grounded black pepper: 1/2

pack shredded Italian cheese blend: 1

pack of dry ziti pasta: 1

container ricotta cheese (15 ounce): 1

tsp minced garlic: 2

tsp salt: 1/2

jars spaghetti sauce (divided): 1 1/2

tsp dried basil (optional): 1

How To Make Cheesy Baked Ziti

1. Begin by preheating the oven at 350° F and preparing a 9*13 inch baking dish by greasing it with oil.
2. Bring a large pot of water to boil and add ziti pasta in it. Let it cook on high flame for about 8 minutes or until the pasta is soft but not mushy. Stir occasionally. Drain and set aside.
3. Place a skillet over a medium flame and add sausages. Cook while stirring occasionally until the sausages are brown. Drain the fat away and set the sausages aside.
4. In a large bowl, mix together egg, onion, ricotta, garlic and oregano. Also add boiled ziti pasta, and fried sausages in the bowl. Mix them together and season with salt and pepper. Add ½ jar of spaghetti sauce in the bowl and toss the contents until they are well combined together.
5. Create the first layer in the greased baking tray by pouring 1/3 jar of spaghetti sauce. Then pour ½ of the pasta mix over it. Cover it with 1/3 jar of spaghetti sauce again and spread shredded cheese over it. Add the remaining pasta mix, spaghetti sauce and cheese. Sprinkle dried basil on top, cover with aluminum foil and place the dish in the oven.
6. Allow the dish to bake for 20 minutes first. Remove the aluminum foil and bake again for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
7. Enjoy the cheesy and yummy Baked Ziti with Sausage.

Trivia:

• The original meaning of macaroni is dearest darling in Italian, and in the 18th century, the word was synonymous to perfection and excellence.
• It is believed that pasta was first made by German cooks who’d fashion dough into swords and stars and bake it as bread.

According to Greek mythology, it was God Vulcan who invented a device that would make strings of dough, called noodles.