One-Pot Baked Ziti with Spinach and Italian Sausage
A hearty one-pot pasta dish combining Italian sausage, tender spinach, and melted mozzarella baked to bubbly perfection. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 55 minutes pairs Italian sausage, casings removed, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium (about 1 cup) yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups water
- 12 oz dried ziti pasta
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sauté for 4 minutes until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 2 cups water, 12 oz dried ziti pasta, 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Fold in 4 cups fresh baby spinach and 1 cup ricotta cheese. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Step 5: Transfer skillet to the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes until pasta is tender and cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Step 6: Remove from oven and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Baked Ziti with Spinach and Italian Sausage take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Baked Ziti with Spinach and Italian Sausage?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Baked Ziti with Spinach and Italian Sausage?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Baked Ziti with Spinach and Italian Sausage for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Baked Ziti with Spinach and Italian Sausage?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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Equipment for this recipe
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