Zesty baked ziti ignites a flavor explosion that transforms mundane meals into culinary celebrations.
Layers of melted cheese and robust marinara dance together in a symphony of taste.
Tender pasta embraces savory Italian sausage, creating a harmonious dish that whispers comfort.
Ricotta’s creamy essence weaves through each mouthwatering bite, elevating this classic casserole.
Simple ingredients merge into an extraordinary feast that beckons hungry souls to the table.
Your family will devour this delectable creation faster than you can say “seconds, please!” Grab your skillet and get ready to become the dinner hero everyone craves.
Ingredients for Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti
For Meat and Base Ingredients:
Ground Sausage: Choose fresh, high-quality sausage with robust flavor and minimal fat content.
Onion: Select firm, crisp onions without soft spots for maximum sweetness and texture.
Pasta Sauce: Pick homemade or premium jarred sauce with rich, balanced tomato profile.
Diced Tomatoes: Opt for San Marzano or vine-ripened varieties for superior taste.
Water: Use filtered water to enhance overall dish clarity.
For Pasta and Seasonings:
Ziti Pasta: Select bronze-cut pasta for superior sauce absorption and authentic texture.
Italian Seasoning: Choose fresh, fragrant blend with balanced herb combinations.
Salt: Use kosher or sea salt for deeper, more nuanced seasoning.
For Dairy and Cheese Components:
Ricotta Cheese: Select creamy, smooth texture with subtle milky undertones.
Mozzarella Cheese: Pick freshly shredded cheese for optimal melting and stretch.
Parmesan Cheese: Choose aged, granular cheese with sharp, nutty undertones.
Egg: Use fresh, room-temperature egg for smooth binding.
Parsley: Select bright green, crisp herbs with vibrant aroma.
Equipment Needed for Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti
Large Skillet: Perfect for sautéing sausage and onions with even heat distribution.
Mixing Bowl: Ideal for blending ricotta, egg, and cheese mixture smoothly.
Colander: Essential for draining pasta and removing excess water quickly.
9×13 Inch Baking Dish: Provides ample space for layering ziti casserole.
Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and crumbling sausage while cooking.
Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure water and ingredients.
Sharp Knife: Necessary for dicing onions and chopping parsley.
Cheese Grater: Useful for shredding mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Oven Mitts: Protects hands when handling hot baking dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti
Fire Up the Cooking Zone Preheat your oven to a toasty 375°F, getting ready for a mouthwatering meal that'll make taste buds dance.
Brown and Sizzle Meat Toss ground sausage and diced onions into a searing hot skillet, breaking down the meat into delicious crumbles while letting excess fat melt away.
Craft Flavor-Packed Sauce Splash in pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Let everything bubble and merge into a rich, thick sauce that'll make your kitchen smell incredible.
Combine Creamy Cheese Blend Whisk together ricotta, a beaten egg, fresh parsley, and a generous handful of mozzarella and parmesan, creating a luscious mixture that'll add creaminess to every bite.
Build Your Casserole Magic Grease a baking dish, spread a layer of sauce, nestle cooked ziti into the pan, dollop on the cheese blend, and continue layering until you've created a stunning pasta masterpiece.
Bake to Golden Perfection Top the casserole with remaining sauce and a final sprinkle of cheese, then slide into the oven. Bake until the top turns golden and the edges bubble with deliciousness, about 25-30 minutes.
Rest and Serve Allow your culinary creation to settle for a few minutes, then slice and serve up a comforting meal that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
Flavor Variations for Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti
Cook Smart with Ziti Variations
Swap Meats Creatively: Replace sausage with ground beef, turkey, or chicken for different flavor profiles and protein options.
Veggie Power Boost: Sneak in extra nutrition by adding chopped spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers to the cheese mixture for colorful, healthy layers.
Spice It Up: Enhance the sauce with red pepper flakes, garlic powder, or a dash of hot sauce to create a more intense, personalized taste experience.
Cheese Lover's Dream: Experiment with different cheese combinations like fontina, provolone, or goat cheese to elevate the dish's richness and complexity.
How to Serve Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti
Pair with Fresh Salad: Serve alongside a crisp green salad topped with Italian vinaigrette for a balanced meal that complements the rich ziti.
Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped basil or oregano on top to add a burst of fresh flavor and vibrant color to the dish.
Serve with Crusty Bread: Offer warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious sauce and complete the comforting meal.
Complement with Red Wine: Pour a glass of medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the savory flavors of the ziti casserole.
Storing Leftovers of Alton Brown’s Baked Ziti
Preserve Fresh Flavors: Store cooled ziti casserole in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain optimal taste and prevent bacterial growth.
Refrigeration Strategy: Keep leftover casserole refrigerated for 3-4 days, covering tightly with plastic wrap or sealed lid to lock in moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
Smart Freezing Technique: Portion individual servings in freezer-safe containers, allowing ziti to freeze flat for up to 3 months without compromising texture or flavor quality.
Reheating Perfection: Thaw refrigerated or frozen ziti overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil for 15-20 minutes until warmed completely through, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out.
Alton Brown’s baked ziti delivers a comforting pasta experience with robust Italian-American flavors. Hearty layers of pasta, rich marinara, and melted cheeses create a satisfying meal perfect for family gatherings and casual dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage
16 oz (454 g) ziti
15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
28 oz (794 g) pasta sauce or marinara sauce
14 oz (397 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
¼ cup (28 g) Parmesan cheese, shredded
1 small onion, diced
1 egg
2 tsp Italian seasoning
½ cup (118 ml) water
2 tbsps fresh parsley
Instructions
Preparation Setup: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 375°F (190°C) for optimal cooking environment.
Meat Infusion: In a large skillet, brown ground sausage over medium-high heat, incorporating diced onions until meat is fully cooked and onions turn translucent, draining excess fat to enhance flavor concentration.
Sauce Development: Introduce pasta sauce, water, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning to the skillet, simmering for 12-15 minutes to create a rich, cohesive sauce with deep flavor profiles.
Pasta Cooking: Simultaneously boil salted water and cook ziti until perfectly al dente, then quickly drain and rinse to halt cooking process.
Cheese Mixture Creation: Blend ricotta, egg, parsley, mozzarella, and parmesan in a mixing bowl, ensuring thorough incorporation of ingredients for a creamy, well-integrated filling.
Layering Foundation: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading initial sauce layer, then strategically arrange pasta, cheese mixture, and additional sauce in carefully constructed tiers.
Cheese Topping: Generously sprinkle extra mozzarella across the surface to create a golden, bubbling cheese crust during baking.
Baking Finale: Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, baking uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and turns a beautiful golden-brown color.
Resting Period: Allow the ziti to rest 5-10 minutes after removing from oven, enabling layers to set and flavors to meld perfectly before serving.
Notes
Manage Moisture Mastery: Drain pasta and meat thoroughly to prevent a watery, soggy casserole that lacks the perfect texture.
Cheese Blend Strategy: Mix cheeses completely to ensure even distribution and create a creamy, consistent layer throughout the dish.
Sauce Depth Development: Simmer sauce longer to intensify flavors and create a richer, more concentrated taste profile.
Temperature Timing Trick: Allow the ziti to rest after baking, which helps the layers solidify and makes serving cleaner and more precise.
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.