Sausage and Peppers Baked Ziti

Sausage and peppers baked ziti combines Italian sausage, sweet peppers, marinara, ricotta, and mozzarella in an easy oven-baked pasta casserole.

Prep: 15 min · Cook: 35 min · Yield: 6 · Method: Oven

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti
• 1 lb italian sausage
• 2 bell peppers
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp italian seasoning
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Cooking instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. (about 5 min) — 375°F
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti until just al dente according to package directions, then drain. (about 10 min) — Boiling
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and the center reaches 160°F. (about 8 min) — Medium heat
4. Add the sliced bell peppers and minced garlic. Cook until the peppers begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. (about 4 min) — Medium heat
5. Stir the drained ziti and marinara into the skillet. Fold in the ricotta, then transfer the mixture to the baking dish and sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top. (about 3 min)
6. Bake uncovered until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Rest for 5 minutes before serving. (about 20 min) — 375°F