One-Pan Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Spinach

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

A hearty baked pasta combining spicy Italian sausage, tender spinach, and melted mozzarella in a savory tomato sauce, all cooked in one pan for easy cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 55 minutes pairs ziti pasta, Italian sausage (casings removed), olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 cups water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large oven-safe skillet or deep pan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and sauté with the sausage for 4 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Pour in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Add 12 oz dry ziti pasta and 3 cups water to the skillet. Stir well to distribute the pasta evenly in the sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover loosely, and cook on medium-low for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: After 12 minutes, fold in 4 cups fresh baby spinach and sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Step 6: Remove from the oven and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.