# Baked ziti (from Food Wishes)

Video: [The Best Baked Ziti - Food Wishes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw) by [Food Wishes](https://www.youtube.com/@foodwishes).
RecipesMD is not affiliated with Food Wishes. Steps are paraphrased in our own words.
Status: machine-read from the video, not yet checked by a person.

- Serves: 8
- Total time: not stated
- Ontario estimate*: ~$4.37 per serving, ~$34.96 for 8 serving(s); saves ~$16.63* per serving (79%) vs ordering out (~$21.00*). * Estimate: 4 line(s) we couldn't price were filled with typical costs for their type; restaurant comparison is a typical Ontario Italian restaurant plate at ~$21, before delivery fees, tax and tip. Prices: Ontario averages (StatCan 2026-07) + RecipesMD estimates, pro-rated, staples excluded.

## Ingredients

- 1.5 lbs Italian sausage
- a little bit olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- to taste dried oregano
- to taste dried thyme
- to taste dried rosemary
- 2 jars (about 6 cups) marinara sauce
- 2 cups (to rinse jars) water
- to taste salt
- 1 lb ziti pasta _(amount estimated)_
- to taste olive oil (for dish)
- 15 oz ricotta cheese _(amount estimated)_
- 12 oz, cubed mozzarella cheese _(amount estimated)_
- to taste Pecorino Romano cheese
- to taste, chopped Italian parsley

## Steps

1. [0:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=38s) Remove the casings from the Italian sausage links by slicing them lengthwise and peeling them off.
2. [0:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=50s) Heat a little olive oil in a large pot over high heat, then add the sausage and diced yellow onion.
3. [0:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=58s) Cook the sausage and onion, stirring and breaking up the meat, until the onion softens and the meat browns.
4. [1:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=115s) Stir in the dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary, and cook for another minute.
5. [2:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=126s) Pour in the marinara sauce, rinse each jar with a cup of water, add the water to the pot, and stir to combine.
6. [2:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=143s) Bring the sauce to a simmer over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
7. [2:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=155s) Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 1 hour.
8. [3:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=223s) Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil, add the ziti pasta, and cook it 2 minutes less than the package instructions.
9. [4:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=253s) Drain the pasta thoroughly and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
10. [5:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=301s) Pour the meat sauce over the pasta and stir thoroughly to combine, then let it rest for 5 minutes.
11. [5:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=342s) Generously grease a large casserole dish with olive oil.
12. [5:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=348s) Transfer half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
13. [6:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=417s) Dollop half of the ricotta cheese over the pasta, spread it slightly, then scatter half of the cubed mozzarella and grate a generous layer of Pecorino cheese on top.
14. [8:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=499s) Layer the remaining pasta and sauce mixture over the cheese layer.
15. [8:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA548B4UGRw&t=530s) Dollop the remaining ricotta cheese on top (do not spread), then scatter the remaining mozzarella and grate more Pecorino cheese over the top.
16. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until piping hot and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
17. Let the baked ziti rest for 15 minutes, then garnish with chopped Italian parsley before serving.

## Equipment

- large pot
- large mixing bowl
- casserole dish
- spatula
- slotted spoon
- cheese grater

## What the video didn't say

- Exact weight of ziti pasta, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese as they were not explicitly stated.
- Heat level for boiling pasta (assumed high).
- Oven preheating time.

Source page: https://recipesmd.com/v/food-wishes-baked-ziti