1-First Steps: Cooking the Pasta and Sauce Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook 1 pound (454 grams) of ziti pasta in boiling water salted with 1 tablespoon of salt until al dente, which takes about 8-10 minutes; drain and set aside. In a pan, sauté 1 medium finely diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until soft, then add 1 pound (454 grams) of bulk Italian sausage, browning and draining it well.

2-First Steps: Cooking the Pasta and Sauce Mix the sausage with 48 ounces (1.36 liters) of marinara sauce and 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, then season with salt and pepper. Fold the cooked pasta into this sauce mixture for even coating. This step ensures every bite is flavorful and moist.

3-Layering and Baking: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread half of the pasta mixture in it. Top with 15 ounces (425 grams) of whole milk ricotta cheese dolloped evenly, 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated parmesan cheese, and half of 8 ounces (227 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture, followed by the rest of the mozzarella.

4-Layering and Baking: Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts. For a browned, toasted top, uncover and bake a bit longer. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving; this recipe serves 8 and takes about 55 minutes total, with 30 minutes prep and 25 minutes cook time.