Ingredients for Baked Ziti And Sausage Casserole
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 cups half-and-half cream
- 7/12 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 15 ounces cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- a sprinkle of paprika
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How to Make Baked Ziti And Sausage Casserole
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 3-quart baking dish.
- Cook 1 pound ziti pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add 1 pound Italian sausage (removed from casings) and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add 1/2 cup chopped onion and 2 cloves minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional).
- Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in 2 cups half-and-half cream until smooth and thickened.
- Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Remove from heat.
- Stir in 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked ziti in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- In a medium bowl, combine 15 ounces cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese), 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
- Layer half of the ziti mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spread the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the ziti. Top with the remaining ziti mixture.
- Sprinkle the cooked sausage evenly over the top.
- Top with 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of paprika.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Sodium
99 g
Sugar
16g
Fat
191g
Carbs
24g
