Bari-Style Sausage & Tomato Baked Ziti

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Creamy ziti pasta baked with spicy Italian sausage, fresh tomatoes, and a hint of basil, inspired by the vibrant flavors of Puglia. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs ziti pasta, Italian sausage, San Marzano tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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 "Plan a meal with the AI" 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.

★ 3.9 (14 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 620 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 190°C. Cook ziti in salted boiling water for 10 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned, breaking into small pieces with a spoon.
  3. Step 3: Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in tomatoes, oregano, and salt until simmering for 8 minutes until thickened and sauce coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, sausage-tomato sauce, and half the ricotta, mixing gently until evenly coated.
  5. Step 5: Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with remaining ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh basil, then bake for 25 minutes until golden and bubbly around the edges.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Bari-Style Sausage & Tomato Baked Ziti take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Bari-Style Sausage & Tomato Baked Ziti?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ziti pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Bari-Style Sausage & Tomato Baked Ziti?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Bari-Style Sausage & Tomato Baked Ziti for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Bari-Style Sausage & Tomato Baked Ziti?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes