Easy Dinner Recipe Oven Recipe Pasta Recipe

Baked Ziti With Italian Sausage

30 mins
35 mins
Portions: 4-6 Servings

See how Johnsonville does comfort food! This delicious baked ziti dish is jammed with flavor and beautiful ingredients. Johnsonville Italian Sausage, eggplant, plum tomatoes, olives, basil, onions, and garlic combine to create a symphony of flavors!

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Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

Made by the Sausage Chefs

Ingredients

  • 1 package (19 ounces) JOHNSONVILLE Sweet Italian Sausage, casings removed or 1 package (16 ounces) JOHNSONVILLE Sweet Italian Ground Sausage
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cups uncooked ziti pasta
  • 1 small eggplant, cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed San Marzano tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, chopped
  • 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, cook and crumble sausage over medium heat until browned and the internal temperature is 160°F; about 10 minutes. Drain if desired. Remove from skillet, place in a bowl and set aside.
  2. Prepare ziti according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water; cover and set aside.
  3. Using the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add eggplant and cook until tender and lightly browned. Transfer to bowl with sausage. Using the same skillet, cook and stir onion and garlic in 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat until tender; 3-5 minutes.
  4. Pour wine into skillet, increase heat to medium-high and continue to stir until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add tomatoes and reduce heat to medium; simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. In the sausage mixture bowl, add cooked pasta, basil, olives, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, salt and pepper; stir to combine ingredients. Transfer mixture to a greased 3-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  6. Cover and bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 5 minutes longer, or until lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.