Baked Ziti And Italian Sausage Recipe

Ingredients for Baked Ziti And Italian Sausage

• Ziti Pasta
• Italian Sausage
• Vegetable Oil
• 4 tablespoons butter
• All Purpose Flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• Fresh Parsley
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

How to Make Baked Ziti And Italian Sausage

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook ziti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, brown Italian sausage links over medium heat for 15 minutes, or until browned, breaking them up with a spoon as they cook. Reduce heat if necessary to prevent burning.
4. Drain sausage well on paper towels. Slice diagonally and set aside.
5. In a heavy saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Whisk in flour until smooth.
6. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
7. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly (about 5 minutes).
8. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
9. Add cooked ziti and stir to coat.
10. In a separate bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, ricotta, egg, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix well.
11. Lightly grease a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish.
12. Layer half of the ziti mixture in the prepared baking dish.
13. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the ziti.
14. Top with half of the sliced sausage.
15. Repeat layers with remaining ziti mixture and sausage.
16. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and paprika.
17. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 1 hour.
18. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.