One-Pot Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

A hearty baked pasta dish combining spicy Italian sausage and gooey melted cheese in a rich tomato sauce, all cooked in one pot for easy cleanup. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs Italian sausage, casing removed, olive oil, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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

• 1 lb Italian sausage, casing removed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium (about 1 cup) yellow onion, diced
• 4 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
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups water
• 12 oz uncooked ziti pasta
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe deep skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook, breaking into small pieces, for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent and garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir 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. Pour in 2 cups water and bring the sauce to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Add 12 oz uncooked ziti pasta to the sauce, stirring well to submerge the pasta. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat. Drop spoonfuls of 1 cup ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
6. Step 6: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves before serving.