Description
Baked Ziti with Sausage and Pumpkin is a comforting, hearty casserole that blends creamy ricotta, savory Italian sausage, and the subtle sweetness of pumpkin. Perfect for chilly evenings or family gatherings, this dish is both simple to prepare and utterly satisfying. Each bite offers a delightful harmony of flavors that celebrates the essence of fall, making it an ideal centerpiece for your next dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook ziti in salted boiling water until al dente; drain without rinsing.
- In a skillet, brown Italian sausage over medium heat for about 5 minutes; add minced garlic during the last minute.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, sausage, ricotta, pumpkin puree, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; mix well.
- Layer half of the ziti mixture in the baking dish, top with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat layers.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg