Perfectly Baked Ziti with Sausage
The perfect baked ziti with sausage needs a few important ingredients: Bertolli® Sauce, mozzarella, and hot Italian sausage. Create this comforting American-Italian classic at home and breathe in the scent of fresh basil. Make it your own by substituting another short pasta, like penne, or substituting sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian dish.
Several updates made to this classic dish ensure great results every time: (1) par-boiling the noodles and adding some of the pasta cooking water to the baking dish eliminates overcooked, mushy pasta, (2) half & half replaces the ricotta cheese that often turns dry and grainy during a long bake time, and (3) using hot Italian turkey sausage adds a big flavor boost, lightens up the dish and eliminates the need to drain the excess fat from the browning step.
Pro Tip: This dish is a great way to use up basil from the garden and gives this dish a pop of freshness.
