One-Pot Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Spinach

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

A hearty baked ziti combining spicy Italian sausage, tender pasta, and vibrant spinach in a rich tomato sauce melted with mozzarella and Parmesan. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, 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 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 cups water

The 9x13 baking dish we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onion is translucent and the 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 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well and bring to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Add 12 oz uncooked ziti pasta and 3 cups water to the skillet. Stir to combine, then cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: Fold in 4 cups chopped fresh spinach and half of the 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until the spinach wilts and the cheese starts melting.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden on the edges.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.