Description
Baked Ziti with Sausage and Pumpkin is a delightful comfort food that combines creamy cheeses, savory sausage, and the subtle sweetness of pumpkin into a hearty dish. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners, this pasta bake is easy to prepare and promises to impress your guests. The vibrant flavors meld together beautifully, creating an experience that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti or penne pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (spicy or sweet)
- 15 oz canned pumpkin puree
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water, cook pasta until al dente (8-10 minutes), drain, and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage (5-7 minutes).
- In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, sausage, pumpkin puree, ricotta, garlic powder, onion powder, marinara sauce, and half of the mozzarella.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, add remaining pasta mixture, and top with mozzarella and more Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg