Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Hearty Cheesy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Pepperoni. This delicious pasta bake combines ziti with a robust tomato sauce, savory Italian sausage, and a medley of colorful bell peppers and onions. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese and slices of pepperoni, this dish is packed with flavor and sure to satisfy everyone at the table. Perfect for a family dinner or a cozy gathering with friends, this baked ziti recipe is easy to prepare and guaranteed to please.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Italian pork sausage
- 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 bell pepper, diced and de-seeded (choose any color you prefer)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (1-pound) package DeLallo Organic Whole-Wheat Penne Rigate (or any ziti/penne pasta)
- 3 ounces pepperoni slices, cut into strips
- 1 (3.8-ounce) can DeLallo Sliced Black Olives
- 1 (25-ounce) jar DeLallo Pomodoro Fresco Marinara Sauce (or Tomato Basil or Roasted Garlic Sauce)
- 2 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or a non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Pasta:
- Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring it to a rolling boil.
- Once boiling, add the penne pasta and cook as directed on the package until it reaches an al dente texture.
- Drain the pasta and set it aside for later use.
- Cook the Sausage and Vegetables:
- In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.
- Combine Ingredients:
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables.
- Add the sliced pepperoni, drained black olives, and marinara sauce.
- Stir well to combine, and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Assemble the Baked Ziti:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sausage and sauce mixture. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the remaining 1 1/4 cups of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake:
- Tent the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- After that, take off the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Conclusion:
This Hearty Cheesy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Pepperoni is the perfect dish for any pasta lover. The combination of savory sausage, pepperoni, and a rich marinara sauce creates a hearty and satisfying meal. Topped with gooey, melted mozzarella cheese, this baked ziti is a comfort food classic that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply craving a cozy, home-cooked meal, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy every cheesy, delicious bite!
Hearty Cheesy Baked Ziti with Sausage and Pepperoni
A comforting baked ziti dish featuring Italiansausage, pepperoni, and a rich tomato sauce, topped with melty mozzarellacheese.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian pork sausage
- 1 small onion peeled and chopped
- 1 bell pepper diced and de-seeded (choose any color you prefer)
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 1-pound package DeLallo Organic Whole-Wheat Penne Rigate (or any ziti/penne pasta)
- 3 ounces pepperoni slices cut into strips
- 1 3.8-ounce can DeLallo Sliced Black Olives
- 1 25-ounce jar DeLallo Pomodoro Fresco Marinara Sauce (or Tomato Basil or Roasted Garlic Sauce)
- 2 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- o Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- o Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or a non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Pasta:
- o Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring it to a rolling boil.
- o Once boiling, add the penne pasta and cook as directed on the package until it reaches an al dente texture.
- o Drain the pasta and set it aside for later use.
- Cook the Sausage and Vegetables:
- o In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks.
- o In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.
- Combine Ingredients:
- o Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables.
- o Add the sliced pepperoni, drained black olives, and marinara sauce.
- o Stir well to combine, and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Assemble the Baked Ziti:
- o In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sausage and sauce mixture. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
- o Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- o Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the remaining 1 1/4 cups of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake:
- o Tent the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- o After that, take off the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- o Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.