Baked Italian-Style Ziti with Tomato Basil Sauce and Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

Tender pasta baked in a rich tomato basil sauce layered with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a comforting Italian meal. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, and yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt, divided
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz ziti pasta and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and soft.
3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (if using) to the onions, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Simmer sauce uncovered over low heat for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Step 5: Toss the drained ziti into the sauce and mix until pasta is evenly coated.
6. Step 6: In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan evenly over the layer. Add the remaining pasta and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with golden edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.