How to Make Cheater Baked Ziti - A Step-by-Step Guide

Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American dish that is beloved for its combination of hearty pasta, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese. However, traditional baked ziti recipes can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring multiple steps and hours of preparation. For those who want to enjoy the comforting flavors of baked ziti without the hassle, a cheater version of this tasty dish is the perfect solution.

Cheater baked ziti is a simplified, time-saving twist on the class...

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Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package dry ziti pasta
  • 1 pound bulk hot Italian sausage
  • 1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
  • 1 (16 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
  • 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Italian cheese blend

Information

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 8 servings

  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in the ziti, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through but is still slightly firm, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the sausage. Cook and stir until the sausage is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Stir in the pasta, spaghetti sauce, and Alfredo sauce. Transfer the mixture into a large baking dish, and top with the Italian cheese blend.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    644 cal.

    • Total Fat: 36g
    • Saturated Fat: 15g
    • Cholesterol: 75mg
    • Sodium: 1372mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 55g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 8g
    • Protein: 25g
    • Vitamin C: 2mg
    • Calcium: 241mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 443mg