One-Pot Tomato Basil Baked Ziti

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting baked ziti with a rich tomato sauce and fresh basil, baked to bubbly perfection in one pot. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Pour in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 3 cups water, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
  3. Step 3: Add 12 oz dry ziti pasta directly into the sauce, stirring to submerge the pasta. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and dollop 1 cup ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan over the top. Scatter 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles with golden edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Tomato Basil Baked Ziti take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Tomato Basil Baked Ziti?

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 ziti pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Tomato Basil Baked Ziti?

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 Tomato Basil Baked Ziti 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.

Is One-Pot Tomato Basil Baked Ziti vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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