Herb-Crusted Baked Ziti
A creamy baked pasta dish with a tangy tomato sauce and fresh herb crust. This italian-inspired sheet pan ready in about 60 minutes pairs ziti pasta, tomato sauce, milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot, cook 12 oz ziti pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir until well blended.
- Step 3: Transfer pasta to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the sauce evenly over the pasta, then sprinkle with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 4: Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let cool slightly before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Crusted Baked Ziti take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (30 min prep + 30 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 Herb-Crusted 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 Herb-Crusted 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 Herb-Crusted 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 Herb-Crusted Baked Ziti?
Italian sheet pan 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to sheet pan dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
