Back to Baked Ziti with Sausage

All Reviews for Baked Ziti with Sausage

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Gallery

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

prep: 30 mins

total: 1 hr 15 mins

18edf07_e.jpg

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium red onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup vodka (optional)

1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes with juice, lightly crushed with hands

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 pound ziti

10 ounces baby spinach

12 ounces smoked chicken sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4 inch thick

6 ounces fontina cheese, 4 ounces cut into 1/2-inch cubes and 2 ounces coarsely grated

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

      Cook's Notes

To freeze, prepare the dish through step 4; let cool completely before covering tightly with plastic wrap and placing in the freezer. If you freeze this dish, do not thaw before baking. Remove plastic wrap, and cover with foil. Cook until heated through, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. Remove foil, and continue with step 5.

Gallery

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

prep: 30 mins

total: 1 hr 15 mins

18edf07_e.jpg

Read the full recipe after the video.

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

prep: 30 mins

total: 1 hr 15 mins

Recipe Summary

prep: 30 mins

total: 1 hr 15 mins

prep: 30 mins

total: 1 hr 15 mins

prep:

30 mins

total:

1 hr 15 mins

18edf07_e.jpg

18edf07_e.jpg

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium red onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup vodka (optional)
  • 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes with juice, lightly crushed with hands
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 pound ziti
  • 10 ounces baby spinach
  • 12 ounces smoked chicken sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 6 ounces fontina cheese, 4 ounces cut into 1/2-inch cubes and 2 ounces coarsely grated
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic. Remove from heat; add vodka, if desired. Return to heat; cook until almost evaporated, 1 minute.

Stir in tomatoes and oregano; cook until tomatoes are falling apart, 10 to 15 minutes. Add cream; cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook pasta in the boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Add spinach, and cook just until wilted. Drain, and return contents to pot.

Add tomato sauce, sausage, and cubed fontina to pot; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Divide evenly between two shallow 1 1/2-quart baking dishes.

Top with grated fontina and Parmesan. Bake until browned and edges are crisp, 20 to 30 minutes.

      Cook's Notes

To freeze, prepare the dish through step 4; let cool completely before covering tightly with plastic wrap and placing in the freezer. If you freeze this dish, do not thaw before baking. Remove plastic wrap, and cover with foil. Cook until heated through, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. Remove foil, and continue with step 5.

Cook’s Notes

To freeze, prepare the dish through step 4; let cool completely before covering tightly with plastic wrap and placing in the freezer. If you freeze this dish, do not thaw before baking. Remove plastic wrap, and cover with foil. Cook until heated through, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. Remove foil, and continue with step 5.

Reviews (38)

Add Rating & Review

597 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  108

4 star values:

                                  144

3 star values:

                                  211

2 star values:

                                  113

1 star values:

                                  21

Load More Reviews

Reviews (38)

Add Rating & Review

597 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  108

4 star values:

                                  144

3 star values:

                                  211

2 star values:

                                  113

1 star values:

                                  21

Add Rating & Review

597 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  108

4 star values:

                                  144

3 star values:

                                  211

2 star values:

                                  113

1 star values:

                                  21

597 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  108

4 star values:

                                  144

3 star values:

                                  211

2 star values:

                                  113

1 star values:

                                  21

597 Ratings

5 star values:

                                  108

4 star values:

                                  144

3 star values:

                                  211

2 star values:

                                  113

1 star values:

                                  21
  • 5 star values:
  • 108
  • 4 star values:
  • 144
  • 3 star values:
  • 211
  • 2 star values:
  • 113
  • 1 star values:
  • 21

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

01/27/2017

                The recipe looks delicious...however, I was shocked to see you taste from the spoon you hand been using, then use it to continue stirring the dish....not good.  sori  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

06/20/2015

                I really liked this.  I made it tonight and pretty much followed the recipe exactly except I added a good handful of basil at the end of cooking the sauce.  I used fontina cheese and everyone thought it was better than mozzarella and worth it.  I am hoping the frozen one is as good  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 5 stars

03/04/2015

                Easy to make , I only seasoned once while the pasta is cooking , seasoning again would be too much for me . I bought all the ingredients from Whole Foods and it was gluten free , I used turkey sausage instead of chicken and it came out amazing. I also used a mixed Italian Blend cheese to top the pasta before making and cubed mozzarella instead of the fontina. The italian blend mix is a combination of fontina mozzarella ... DEFF. must try  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 5 stars

02/01/2014

                I just made it for the second time.  It is so good.  I will bring this one to a super bowl party tomorrow.  The second tray of it I will keep for myself because I know how much food will be there.  However, if it's needed I'll slip across the street and bring over the second tray.  
                I love it and know I'll make it often.  It's so nice to know there is always the back-up tray.  I may even divide the second tray.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

01/08/2014

                I made this last night and my husband and daughter, Alexis, loved it! They could not stop picking at it while we had a discussion at the dinner table. I made it with two 12 oz packages of Apple chicken sausage and chopped up 8 oz.'s of Fontina. The tomatoes also had jalapeno, fresh herbs & spices in it, so it had a bit of a kick, which balanced out the sweetness in the sausage. I also grated fresh mozzarella cheese to top if off along with the parmesan cheese. Delicious dinner and hardy.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: 3 stars

11/18/2013

                I was excited to try this recipe, but did not love the final dish. Even after using high-quality chicken sausage and fontina, this tasted bland to me. The ingredients were not inexpensive for the result. I would consider making again but adding more flavor (fresh herbs, etc)  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/14/2013

                Made this last night, but added a full 8 OZ of Fontina cheese.  Really excellent!  A keeper.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

10/30/2013

                Made this last night for the family and I used turkey sausage instead of the chicken sausage (store did not have the chicken sausage) and it tasted wonderful.  I thought it would be alittle running with all the tomatoe juice and it was fine.
                Best dinner ever and can not wait to have it again.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/01/2011

                Now this is sooo a recipe I want to try!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

09/10/2011

                For "queenzookie",try drainging tinned Tomatoes.Use Your Favourite Flavours and Taste if not using un~pasterised Eggs.Should renew Faith in Miss.Martha.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/10/2010

                this is one of our fav's in the family. although it says it's 2 recipes, it barely lasts us one dinner! thanks martha!!!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

08/16/2010

                Best baked pasta dish.  I substitute mozzarella for the fontina and use crushed tomatoes from the can as a short cut.  Everyone loves it.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

05/16/2010

                With so many flavorful ingredients, I expected this to be very tasty.  But I found it to be barely mediocre.  It was less than the sum of its parts.  Sorry, Martha!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

03/03/2009

                I used ground chkicken and seasoned it with Penzey's Italian Sausage seasoning - perfect and cost effective!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/16/2008

                I had to use Hilshire Farms Smoked Turkey Sausage as chicken was not available. Also Fontina cheese was $23.00/lb at Safeway so I used a 4-Italian shredded cheese  mix instead. I think the idea here is to get a smokey flavor, but my family said to try either sweet or hot  Italian sausage next time. The vodka sauce makes this very good.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/16/2008

                I substituted a few things to this dish....Italian Sweet Basil Sausage for the Chicken Sausage and my grocery store didnt have fontina cheese but used Mozzerella instead. Excellent recipe!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/16/2008

                My family loved this recipe, I had nothing left. I love that I can put the second dish in the freezer for another dinner. Perfect! I substituted the Italian Sweet Basil for the chicken sausage. Delicious! Definately make this dish again.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/15/2008

                I added pancetta in mine and it came out totally divine.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/13/2008

                To christydiane:  I believe the chicken sausage described here is precooked.  If I were substituting raw ground turkey sausage I would definitely cook and crumble first.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/13/2008

                I tried jarred Vodka pasta sauce in this dish, and it worked just fine. Also substituted vegetarian Italian sausage for chicken sausage. Delicious!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/13/2008

                This is DELICIOUS made just as directed but you can do fine with a jarred sauce.  Also Fontina is a yummy melty Italian cheese but good substitutes would be mozzarella, Asiago - even a shredded Gruyere ["Swiss-y"] cheese would be good.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/12/2008

                Is the smoked chicken sausage already cooked?   I am substituting ground turkey sausage and was wondering if i should brown it before putting in the recipe.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/12/2008

                You can find excellent chicken sausage at Cosco or Sams. Many butcher shops make thier own and also many Italian markets.In fact, Emirel even has one that is quite tasty.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/12/2008

                Sprouts, Whole Foods and Central Market in texas all carry Turkey Sausage. You can also get Jenny O Turkey Sausage at Target Superstores  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/12/2008

                Any recommendations on a brand or source for chicken sausage?  Several recipes call for it, but I haven't found it in regular grocery chains in Texas.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/12/2008

                I'll try to remember to let you know, I'm going to to store and using the jarred sauce for tonight.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/12/2008

                Is it possible to substitute jarred vodka pasta sauce in this dish instead of making the sauce in the recipe? This would save some time.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/12/2008

                red6586--Thanks for the suggestion- I may try pepper jack for more punch! My apologies for multiple entries. No indications that 1 submit worked!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/12/2008

                Hi novawalker,
                Mozzarella would be a good substitute, although not as flavorful, but easier on the checkbook too.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/12/2008

                What is a good substitue for fontina cheese? I've never had it?  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

11/12/2008

                Has anyone here made their own sausage?  I saw this and wondered about making my own chicken sausage, adding our fav seasonings.  Any advice?  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

03/19/2008

                This is really good and flavorful! The flavors really meld well together and are subtly delicious. I followed recipe exactly. I definately recommend this one!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

02/24/2008

                Recipe did not say what SIZE pan of pasta this makes. It only makes one 13x9, as a previous commenter noted. Very tasty though. I used kale instead of spinach.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

02/17/2008

                This is a delicious dish.  I made it just in one 13x9 pan.  I made it a day in advance and was able to cook it right before a dinner party.  It turned out great.  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

02/15/2008

                Delicious. Makes 2 9x9 casseroles. Next time I will shred all of the cheese instead of just the cheese for the top. Great to make on a weekend when you have kitchen time and then freeze for easy weeknight meal with little cleanup. Good leftovers for work too! I will keep this in my lineup  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

01/09/2008

                Turned out great! I ended up doubling the recipe because we are having two sets of friends over this week. I froze half and served the other half last night. Very good!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

12/30/2007

                Good. So good! It's quick and definately easy to make for a starter cook like me! My husband thought my cooking skills are definately improving after this dish!  

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated

01/27/2017

                The recipe looks delicious...however, I was shocked to see you taste from the spoon you hand been using, then use it to continue stirring the dish....not good.  sori  

Rating: Unrated

Rating: Unrated

06/20/2015

                I really liked this.  I made it tonight and pretty much followed the recipe exactly except I added a good handful of basil at the end of cooking the sauce.  I used fontina cheese and everyone thought it was better than mozzarella and worth it.  I am hoping the frozen one is as good  

Rating: 5 stars

03/04/2015

                Easy to make , I only seasoned once while the pasta is cooking , seasoning again would be too much for me . I bought all the ingredients from Whole Foods and it was gluten free , I used turkey sausage instead of chicken and it came out amazing. I also used a mixed Italian Blend cheese to top the pasta before making and cubed mozzarella instead of the fontina. The italian blend mix is a combination of fontina mozzarella ... DEFF. must try  

Rating: 5 stars

Rating: 5 stars

02/01/2014

                I just made it for the second time.  It is so good.  I will bring this one to a super bowl party tomorrow.  The second tray of it I will keep for myself because I know how much food will be there.  However, if it's needed I'll slip across the street and bring over the second tray.  
                I love it and know I'll make it often.  It's so nice to know there is always the back-up tray.  I may even divide the second tray.  

Rating: Unrated

01/08/2014

                I made this last night and my husband and daughter, Alexis, loved it! They could not stop picking at it while we had a discussion at the dinner table. I made it with two 12 oz packages of Apple chicken sausage and chopped up 8 oz.'s of Fontina. The tomatoes also had jalapeno, fresh herbs & spices in it, so it had a bit of a kick, which balanced out the sweetness in the sausage. I also grated fresh mozzarella cheese to top if off along with the parmesan cheese. Delicious dinner and hardy.  

Rating: 3 stars

11/18/2013

                I was excited to try this recipe, but did not love the final dish. Even after using high-quality chicken sausage and fontina, this tasted bland to me. The ingredients were not inexpensive for the result. I would consider making again but adding more flavor (fresh herbs, etc)  

Rating: 3 stars

Rating: Unrated

11/14/2013

                Made this last night, but added a full 8 OZ of Fontina cheese.  Really excellent!  A keeper.  

Rating: Unrated

10/30/2013

                Made this last night for the family and I used turkey sausage instead of the chicken sausage (store did not have the chicken sausage) and it tasted wonderful.  I thought it would be alittle running with all the tomatoe juice and it was fine.
                Best dinner ever and can not wait to have it again.  

Rating: Unrated

11/01/2011

                Now this is sooo a recipe I want to try!  

Rating: Unrated

09/10/2011

                For "queenzookie",try drainging tinned Tomatoes.Use Your Favourite Flavours and Taste if not using un~pasterised Eggs.Should renew Faith in Miss.Martha.  

Rating: Unrated

11/10/2010

                this is one of our fav's in the family. although it says it's 2 recipes, it barely lasts us one dinner! thanks martha!!!  

Rating: Unrated

08/16/2010

                Best baked pasta dish.  I substitute mozzarella for the fontina and use crushed tomatoes from the can as a short cut.  Everyone loves it.  

Rating: Unrated

05/16/2010

                With so many flavorful ingredients, I expected this to be very tasty.  But I found it to be barely mediocre.  It was less than the sum of its parts.  Sorry, Martha!  

Rating: Unrated

03/03/2009

                I used ground chkicken and seasoned it with Penzey's Italian Sausage seasoning - perfect and cost effective!  

Rating: Unrated

11/16/2008

                I had to use Hilshire Farms Smoked Turkey Sausage as chicken was not available. Also Fontina cheese was $23.00/lb at Safeway so I used a 4-Italian shredded cheese  mix instead. I think the idea here is to get a smokey flavor, but my family said to try either sweet or hot  Italian sausage next time. The vodka sauce makes this very good.  


                    
                I substituted a few things to this dish....Italian Sweet Basil Sausage for the Chicken Sausage and my grocery store didnt have fontina cheese but used Mozzerella instead. Excellent recipe!  


                    
                My family loved this recipe, I had nothing left. I love that I can put the second dish in the freezer for another dinner. Perfect! I substituted the Italian Sweet Basil for the chicken sausage. Delicious! Definately make this dish again.  

Rating: Unrated

11/15/2008

                I added pancetta in mine and it came out totally divine.  

Rating: Unrated

11/13/2008

                To christydiane:  I believe the chicken sausage described here is precooked.  If I were substituting raw ground turkey sausage I would definitely cook and crumble first.  


                    
                I tried jarred Vodka pasta sauce in this dish, and it worked just fine. Also substituted vegetarian Italian sausage for chicken sausage. Delicious!  


                    
                This is DELICIOUS made just as directed but you can do fine with a jarred sauce.  Also Fontina is a yummy melty Italian cheese but good substitutes would be mozzarella, Asiago - even a shredded Gruyere ["Swiss-y"] cheese would be good.  

Rating: Unrated

11/12/2008

                Is the smoked chicken sausage already cooked?   I am substituting ground turkey sausage and was wondering if i should brown it before putting in the recipe.  


                    
                You can find excellent chicken sausage at Cosco or Sams. Many butcher shops make thier own and also many Italian markets.In fact, Emirel even has one that is quite tasty.  


                    
                Sprouts, Whole Foods and Central Market in texas all carry Turkey Sausage. You can also get Jenny O Turkey Sausage at Target Superstores  


                    
                Any recommendations on a brand or source for chicken sausage?  Several recipes call for it, but I haven't found it in regular grocery chains in Texas.  


                    
                I'll try to remember to let you know, I'm going to to store and using the jarred sauce for tonight.  


                    
                Is it possible to substitute jarred vodka pasta sauce in this dish instead of making the sauce in the recipe? This would save some time.  


                    
                red6586--Thanks for the suggestion- I may try pepper jack for more punch! My apologies for multiple entries. No indications that 1 submit worked!  


                    
                Hi novawalker,
                Mozzarella would be a good substitute, although not as flavorful, but easier on the checkbook too.  


                    
                What is a good substitue for fontina cheese? I've never had it?  


                    
                Has anyone here made their own sausage?  I saw this and wondered about making my own chicken sausage, adding our fav seasonings.  Any advice?  

Rating: Unrated

03/19/2008

                This is really good and flavorful! The flavors really meld well together and are subtly delicious. I followed recipe exactly. I definately recommend this one!  

Rating: Unrated

02/24/2008

                Recipe did not say what SIZE pan of pasta this makes. It only makes one 13x9, as a previous commenter noted. Very tasty though. I used kale instead of spinach.  

Rating: Unrated

02/17/2008

                This is a delicious dish.  I made it just in one 13x9 pan.  I made it a day in advance and was able to cook it right before a dinner party.  It turned out great.  

Rating: Unrated

02/15/2008

                Delicious. Makes 2 9x9 casseroles. Next time I will shred all of the cheese instead of just the cheese for the top. Great to make on a weekend when you have kitchen time and then freeze for easy weeknight meal with little cleanup. Good leftovers for work too! I will keep this in my lineup  

Rating: Unrated

01/09/2008

                Turned out great! I ended up doubling the recipe because we are having two sets of friends over this week. I froze half and served the other half last night. Very good!  

Rating: Unrated

12/30/2007

                Good. So good! It's quick and definately easy to make for a starter cook like me! My husband thought my cooking skills are definately improving after this dish!  

All Reviews for Baked Ziti with Sausage

  • of Reviews

Reviews:

Most Helpful

Most Helpful

Most Positive

Least Positive

Newest

All Reviews for Baked Ziti with Sausage

  • of Reviews

Reviews:

Most Helpful

Most Helpful

Most Positive

Least Positive

Newest

Reviews:

Most Helpful

Most Helpful

Most Positive

Least Positive

Newest