If you’re looking for a comforting, hearty meal with minimal clean-up, you’re going to absolutely love this One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe. I first stumbled on this gem when I needed a crowd-pleaser that didn’t come with a mountain of dishes—and let me tell you, it’s become a total weeknight favorite in my house! Rich, cheesy, and bursting with Italian sausage flavor all baked together in one skillet, this dish hits all the right notes. Stick around and I’ll share all my tips to help you nail it perfectly every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Wonder: You cook it all in a single skillet, which means less mess and more time to relax.
- Creamy & Cheesy Comfort: The half and half mixed with Parmesan and mozzarella creates a luscious sauce that’s irresistible.
- Quick & Easy: From start to finish, it takes under 40 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family Approved: My family literally goes crazy for this ziti—it’s a guaranteed hit every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The flavor magic here comes from the classic Italian sausage paired with a vibrant tomato base and plenty of herbs. Plus, using ziti makes for the perfect pasta shape to catch all that creamy, cheesy goodness. Before shopping, try to pick fresh garlic and good-quality Italian sausage—it really amps up the taste.
- Ground Italian sausage: Opt for the sweet or spicy kind based on your preference; removing casings helps with even cooking.
- Diced tomatoes: Canned works great, just make sure it’s good quality for that rich tomato flavor.
- Tomato sauce: Adds body and depth; plain crushed tomatoes can work too in a pinch.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brightens the dish, giving it that classic Italian aroma.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Just a pinch adds a subtle kick without overwhelming the dish.
- Dried basil: If you have fresh on hand, I love tossing in half a cup at the end for that fresh herby punch.
- Dried oregano: Essential for authentic Italian flavor.
- Water: This helps cook the pasta right in the pan, so you don’t need extra pots.
- Ziti pasta: You can substitute penne or rigatoni if ziti isn’t at your store.
- Half and half: Adds creaminess without being too heavy; heavy cream works if you want it richer.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is best—it melts better and gives a nutty flavor.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Season to taste—it brightens up all the flavors.
- Mozzarella cheese: Shredded for the melty, bubbly topping everybody loves.
Variations
I love how flexible this One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe is. You can easily tweak it to suit what you have on hand or dietary needs. Here are some of my favorite spins on it that keep things exciting.
- Vegetarian Version: I swap the Italian sausage for sautéed mushrooms and some chopped spinach—still super flavorful and comforting.
- Spicy Upgrade: Adding extra crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce gives it a fiery punch my spice-loving friends adore.
- Cheese Lover’s Dream: Mixing in some ricotta with the cheeses adds a creamier texture that makes everyone ask for seconds.
- Fresh Herb Twist: Tossing fresh basil or parsley on top right before serving elevates the flavors and adds a pop of color.
How to Make One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe
Step 1: Brown Your Sausage and Aromatics
Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and add your ground Italian sausage. Break it apart with your spatula as it browns to get those little crispy bits that add so much flavor. This takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Once browned, toss in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; that would add bitterness.
Step 2: Simmer the Sauce Base
Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil, and oregano to the skillet. Give everything a good stir to combine those flavors. Turn the heat down and let it simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes. This slow simmer helps develop the rich tomato flavor and lets the herbs infuse the sauce beautifully.
Step 3: Cook Pasta Right in the Pan
Pour in the water and add your dry ziti pasta straight into the sauce. Bring it all to a boil, then cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking. It usually takes 10 to 15 minutes for the pasta to get perfectly tender—check a piece to be sure! This is where the magic happens, as the pasta absorbs that tomatoey goodness.
Step 4: Finish with Cream and Cheese, then Bake
Once the pasta is tender, stir in the half and half and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Scatter the shredded mozzarella evenly on top, and then pop the skillet into a preheated 450°F oven. Bake for about 5 minutes or until the mozzarella is melted and golden brown. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn—this finishing step gives the dish that ooey-gooey baked cheese charm that makes it irresistible.
Pro Tips for Making One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe
- Use an oven-safe skillet: This saves a ton of time—you can go straight from stove to oven without extra dishes.
- Don’t skip stirring: While the pasta cooks in the sauce, occasional stirring keeps the noodles from clumping or sticking to the pan.
- Choose good-quality sausage: The flavor of the Italian sausage is front and center, so pick one you love.
- Watch your oven time closely: Cheese melts quickly—bake just until bubbly and golden to avoid drying out the dish.
How to Serve One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle fresh basil leaves right on top after baking to add a fresh herbal note and a lovely pop of color. A little extra Parmesan grated over the top never hurts, and sometimes I add a pinch of red pepper flakes for those who like an extra kick at the table.
Side Dishes
This pairs beautifully with a bright green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette, or some garlic bread for mopping up every last bit of sauce. Roasted veggies like asparagus or broccoli are great too if you want something warm alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I sometimes serve this in individual ramekins for a fun, restaurant-style vibe. You can also layer it in a large baking dish and let everyone help themselves family-style—it always feels like a warm group hug on a plate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge—they usually last about 3 to 4 days. The flavors actually seem to meld even more, so lunchtime the next day is a real treat.
Freezing
This dish freezes well if you want to prep ahead. After baking, cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers. It keeps in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, I cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, checking to ensure it’s heated through. You can add a splash of milk or cream if it feels a bit dry, then top with a little extra mozzarella if you like it cheesy.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While ziti is traditional, penne, rigatoni, or even small shells work beautifully since they all hold sauce well. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time if needed, depending on the pasta shape.
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Do I have to use Italian sausage?
Not at all. You can substitute ground beef, turkey, or even plant-based sausage alternatives. Just cook them the same way you would the Italian sausage to get that flavorful browned base.
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Can I prepare this dish entirely on the stovetop?
While you can cook everything on the stovetop, baking it for those last few minutes melts and browns the cheese in a way the stovetop can’t replicate. If you don’t have an oven-safe dish, you could finish under a broiler briefly, but careful not to burn it.
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What if I don’t have half and half or heavy cream?
You can substitute milk for half and half, though the sauce will be a bit thinner. If you want extra creaminess, mix a little bit of cream cheese or mascarpone into the sauce before baking.
Final Thoughts
This One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe has truly become my go-to when I want something that tastes like hours of slow-cooked comfort but comes together on a busy weeknight. I love sharing it because it feels like a special meal without any fuss, and I know you’ll appreciate that balance in your own kitchen. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, I hope this recipe gives you that same happy feeling it always does for me—give it a try and let me know how it turns out!
Print
One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This One Pan Baked Ziti is a quick and comforting Italian-American classic made all in one skillet. Ground Italian sausage simmers with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, herbs, garlic, and pasta, then finished with creamy half and half, parmesan, and melted mozzarella cheese. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup half and half (or heavy cream)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Pantry and Vegetables
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 5-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 Tablespoon dried basil (or 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves added at the end)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cups water
- 12 ounces ziti pasta (or similar pasta)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Brown Sausage: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Heat a large 12-inch or bigger oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook, crumbling into small pieces, until browned, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Create Sauce Base: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil, and dried oregano. Mix everything well. Reduce heat and let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Cook Pasta in Sauce: Pour in the 3 cups of water and add the dry ziti pasta. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the skillet, reduce to low heat, and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Finish with Cream and Cheese: Stir in the half and half and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Make sure the mixture is well combined.
- Add Mozzarella and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta in the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and started to brown.
- Serve: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven, optionally garnish with fresh basil if using, and serve hot. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy one pan baked ziti!
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for an easy, one-pan meal that minimizes cleanup.
- Using fresh basil leaves added at the end brightens the dish with fresh herb flavor.
- You can substitute heavy cream for half and half for a richer sauce.
- Make sure to use an oven-safe skillet that can go from stovetop to oven.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 584 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 954 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg
