Oven Baked 4 Ingredient Sausage and Pepper Ziti
Why You’ll Love This Sausage and Pepper Ziti
- Quick & easy weeknight dinner with minimal prep
- Only 4 main ingredients for budget-friendly cooking
- Classic Italian-American comfort food flavor
- Fewer dishes = less cleanup
- Perfect family-style meal for weekends or gatherings
- Oven-baked for rich, deep flavor and cozy texture
- Great for meal prep and leftovers
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage, sliced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 24 oz marinara sauce (about 3 cups)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for greasing)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Cook ziti in salted water until just under al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through (6–8 minutes).
- Add sliced bell peppers and cook 4–5 minutes until slightly tender.
- Stir in marinara sauce and simmer briefly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine cooked pasta with sauce mixture and toss until fully coated.
- Transfer to baking dish, cover with foil, and bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving for best texture.
Expert Tips & Variations
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
- Sprinkle Parmesan or mozzarella on top for extra richness
- Swap in hot Italian sausage for bold flavor
- Use chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter version
- Add spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies
- Perfect for meal prep—tastes even better the next day
Benefits of This Recipe
This baked ziti is more than just easy—it’s a time-saving comfort meal that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. It’s ideal for:
- Busy families needing fast dinners
- Budget-friendly meal planning
- Stress-free entertaining
- Cozy weekend comfort food
