One-Pan Baked Ziti with Sausage and Mozzarella

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

A hearty Italian-American baked pasta featuring spicy sausage and melted mozzarella, baked to golden perfection in one pan. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, Italian sausage, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 12 oz ziti pasta; cook for 7 minutes until just under al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 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. Simmer sauce for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Step 4: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and stir gently to combine with the sausage tomato sauce until pasta is evenly coated.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top and then 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
6. Step 6: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden on the edges.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves before serving.