Neapolitan Ziti Recipe

Neapolitan Ziti is a hearty, dual-sauced pasta dish featuring a savory sausage and pepper ragù served over marinara-coated noodles. Ideally the ziti should be cooked just until al dente to ensure it maintains a firm, chewy texture that stands up to the heavy meat topping.

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Neapolitan Ziti Recipe Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs Italian sausage (sweet or hot links)
• 3/4 lb ziti pasta
• 1 1/3 cups chopped green bell pepper (about 1 large pepper)
• 6 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 28 oz can Italian-style tomatoes (whole or crushed)
• 10.75 oz tomato puree
• 5 cups marinara sauce (jarred or homemade)
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

How To Make Neapolitan Ziti Recipe

1. Cook the Sausage: Preheat your oven to three hundred and seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit or heat a skillet over medium heat. Bake or pan-fry the Italian sausages until they are browned on the outside and fully cooked through. Remove them from the heat, let them rest for five minutes, and then slice them into half-inch rounds.
2. Sauté the Peppers: In a large saucepan, heat two tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped green bell peppers and sauté for five to seven minutes. You want them to be soft but still hold their shape, adding a slight crunch to the sauce.
3. Simmer the Topping Sauce: To the pan with the peppers, add the canned Italian tomatoes, tomato puree, minced garlic, fresh basil, and the remaining four tablespoons of olive oil. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for ten minutes to blend the flavors.
4. Combine Meat and Sauce: Stir the sliced sausage into the tomato and pepper mixture. Simmer for another three to five minutes to heat the sausage through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the ziti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well, but do not rinse it, as the starch helps the sauce cling.
6. Sauce the Noodles: In a separate pot or large bowl, warm up the five cups of marinara sauce. Toss the drained ziti in the marinara until every noodle is generously coated and glossy.
7. Assemble and Serve: To serve, pile a portion of the marinara-coated ziti onto a plate. Ladle a generous amount of the sausage and pepper tomato mixture directly on top.
8. Garnish: Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• The Two-Sauce Method: This recipe is distinct because it uses a base marinara to coat the noodles and a separate “chunky” sauce for the topping. This ensures the pasta isn’t dry while allowing the sausage and peppers to remain the star garnish.
• Sausage Selection: Use high-quality fennel sausage links. Cooking them whole and then slicing them keeps the juices inside the meat rather than rendering them all out into the pan like ground sausage.
• Basil Freshness: Add the fresh basil toward the end of the simmering process. If you add it too early, it will turn black and lose its bright, peppery aroma.
• Olive Oil Quality: Since this recipe uses a significant amount of olive oil (six tablespoons), use a good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a rich, fruity background note.

What To Serve With Neapolitan Ziti

Neapolitan Ziti accompaniments are rustic, Italian-American additions frequently served to round out a Sunday family feast. Ideally the garlic bread should be toasted under the broiler to create a crunchy vessel for scooping up the rich tomato sauce.

• Warm garlic bread or cheesy focaccia
• A crisp Caesar salad with anchovy dressing
• Mary Berry Taramasalata (as a contrasting starter)
• A glass of full-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese

How To Store Neapolitan Ziti

• Refrigerate: Store the pasta and the sausage topping in separate airtight containers if possible. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• Reheat: Reheat the pasta and sauce separately on the stovetop or in the microwave. Combine them just before serving to maintain the distinct textures.
• Freeze: You can freeze the sausage and pepper sauce for up to three months. It is not recommended to freeze the cooked pasta, as it can become mushy upon reheating.

Neapolitan Ziti Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 680 kcal (per serving)
• Carbohydrates: 65g
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 34g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 12g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving based on 6 servings.

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