One-Pot Baked Ziti with Roasted Garlic and Italian Sausage

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

A hearty Italian-American baked ziti featuring Italian sausage and roasted garlic simmered in a rich tomato sauce, all cooked in one pot for easy cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 60 minutes pairs Italian sausage, casings removed, roasted garlic cloves, minced, 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

• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 6 cloves roasted garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 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
• 3 cups water
• 12 oz uncooked ziti pasta
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 6 minced roasted garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent and 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 3 cups water and stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Add 12 oz uncooked ziti pasta, submerging it in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes until pasta is just tender.
5. Step 5: Remove the pot from heat. Dollop 1 cup ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta mixture, then sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
6. Step 6: Transfer the pot to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly with golden edges.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.