Name: One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 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; 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes; 5-6 cloves garlic, minced; 1 Tablespoon dried basil (or 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves added at the end); 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 8 ounces tomato sauce; 3 cups water; 12 ounces ziti pasta (or similar pasta); Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; Salt, to taste

If you’ve been hunting for a fuss-free, crowd-pleasing pasta dish, you’re in for a treat with this One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe. It’s everything I love about classic baked ziti—cheesy, saucy, and deeply comforting—but all done in a single skillet. No boiling pasta separately or messy cleanup, just one pan and maybe a big appetite! Stick around because I’m sharing all my best tips to get it just right every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Convenient: Everything cooks in one pan—you save time and avoid a mountain of dishes.
Rich & Flavorful: The sausage and spices deepen the sauce, making it comfort food at its finest.
Fast & Ready in Under 40 Minutes: Perfect for busy weeknights when you want home-cooked goodness without the wait.
Family Favorite: My crew goes crazy for this every single time—kids and adults alike.

A pan filled with baked pasta showing three layers: the bottom layer is orange-red cooked pasta mixed with dark brown ground meat and small red tomato pieces, the middle layer is melted white cheese spread unevenly, and the top layer is sprinkled with dried green herbs. The pan sits on a white marbled surface with some white grated cheese in a small white bowl above and a wooden bowl with green leafy vegetables to the right. A gold spoon lies to the side, and a black and white striped cloth is partly under the pan. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a role in layering flavors and getting that perfect baked ziti texture right in your skillet. Plus, I’ll share a few notes on how to pick the best versions when you’re shopping.

Ground Italian sausage: Adds great spice and richness—using Italian sausage with fennel gives that authentic taste.
Diced tomatoes: Opt for good quality canned tomatoes for freshness and the perfect tang.
Tomato sauce: Smooth tomato sauce blends everything together and keeps the dish saucy without being runny.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic always beats pre-minced—its aroma is unbeatable when sautéed with sausage.
Crushed red pepper flakes: Just a pinch brings subtle heat—you can easily adjust it based on your spice tolerance.
Dried basil: You can swap for fresh basil at the end for a bright herbal note; both work beautifully.
Dried oregano: Classic Italian seasoning that pairs perfectly with tomato-based dishes.
Water: Essential for cooking the pasta right in the pan—no pre-boiling needed here.
Ziti pasta: Or any tubular pasta like penne—these shapes hold the sauce well.
Half and half: Adds creaminess, making the sauce rich without heaviness. Heavy cream works too if you like it extra indulgent.
Freshly grated parmesan cheese: Grating it fresh gives an unbeatable sharpness that melts into the sauce.
Mozzarella cheese: For that bubbly, golden cheesy top—make sure it’s shredded and evenly spread.
Black pepper: Freshly ground for best flavor, added to taste at the end.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best things about this One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have or your dietary preferences. I love personalizing it depending on the season or who I’m feeding.

Meat-Free Option: I’ve swapped Italian sausage for sautéed mushrooms and extra herbs for a vegetarian take that’s just as hearty.
Fresh Basil Addition: Adding half a cup of fresh basil leaves right at the end brightens up the dish beautifully—my secret fresh twist.
Spice It Up: Crank up the crushed red pepper flakes if you like it spicy, or add a dash of smoked paprika for extra depth.
Dairy-Free Switch: Use coconut milk or a rich plant-based cream substitute and vegan cheese to make it allergy-friendly.

How to Make One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Build Flavor

Heat your largest oven-safe skillet over medium heat and add the ground Italian sausage, breaking it up into small bits as it cooks. This takes about 3-5 minutes until nice and browned—this step is crucial because those browned bits add so much flavor depth. Once nearly done, toss in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook another 1-2 minutes until fragrant; be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 2: Create the Sauce Base

Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil, and oregano. Give everything a good stir and reduce your heat to low so it simmers gently. Let it bubble away for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking—this melds the flavors beautifully.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta Right in the Sauce

Add the water and dry ziti pasta directly to the pan. Bring it all to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Stir it every few minutes to keep the pasta from sticking. In about 10-15 minutes, your noodles will be perfectly tender, having soaked up all those rich flavors.

Step 4: Finish With Cream and Cheese, Then Bake

Stir in the half and half along with the freshly grated parmesan cheese, then season with salt and pepper to your taste. Finally, sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly on top. Transfer the skillet into your preheated oven and bake for about 5 minutes, or until that mozzarella is melted and beautifully browned. This last step gives you that irresistible golden crust that everyone loves.

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Pro Tips for Making One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe

Choose an Oven-Safe Skillet: I always use a heavy 12-inch skillet with a sturdy handle to ensure even cooking and safe transfer to the oven.
Stir Pasta Frequently: To avoid clumpy or stuck noodles, I give it a good stir a couple of times while simmering—this helped me master the texture.
Don’t Skip the Simmer: Letting the sauce simmer before adding pasta really deepens the flavors—it’s worth the extra patience.
Watch the Liquid Levels: I learned to keep an eye on the water amount to prevent the dish from getting too watery or too dry—adjust as needed depending on your pasta.

How to Serve One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe

The image shows a grey plate with two main parts: on the left, a pile of cooked penne pasta mixed with small pieces of browned meat and bits of red bell pepper, topped with melted white cheese scattered unevenly; the pasta is light yellow with hints of orange from the sauce and meat, while the meat is a dark brown; on the right, there is a green leafy salad with chopped kale, sprinkled with a white powdery topping that looks like grated cheese and small reddish bits, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping my baked ziti with a little fresh basil or parsley for color and freshness. A light sprinkle of extra parmesan right before serving is a game changer—makes it taste even cheesier and special.

Side Dishes

This One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or some garlic bread for a classic, comforting meal. Sometimes I serve roasted vegetables on the side to balance all that cheesy richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or special dinners, I like transferring portions into mini ramekins for individual “baked ziti pies”—it looks fancy but takes no extra effort. You could also sprinkle with red pepper flakes or drizzle a little olive oil on top before baking for a gourmet touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After it cools, I transfer leftovers to airtight containers and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers taste fantastic the next day.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this baked ziti in portions several times with great success. Just make sure it’s completely cooled, then freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags. It stays good for up to 3 months—you’ll want to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheating is easy: I pop leftover portions in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying out. You can also microwave it covered—just add a splash of water or cream if it seems dry to keep that creamy texture.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta in this One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe?

Absolutely! While ziti is traditional, you can substitute penne, rigatoni, or even macaroni. Just keep in mind that different pasta shapes may slightly affect the cooking time, so keep an eye on the pasta’s tenderness when cooking.
Do I need to pre-cook the pasta before baking?

Nope! The beauty of this recipe is that the dry pasta cooks right in the sauce and water on the stovetop before it goes into the oven. Just make sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking and get even cooking.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the sauce and cook the sausage ahead, then add the pasta and finish cooking when ready to serve. Alternatively, you can make the whole dish, refrigerate it, and bake it fresh later—it even tastes better after resting!
What can I do if I don’t have half and half?

If you don’t have half and half handy, you can use heavy cream, whole milk, or even a milk and cream mix. Just know heavier creams will make it richer, while milk will lighten it up a bit but still keep it creamy.
Is this recipe spicy?

It has a mild warmth from the crushed red pepper flakes, but it’s not overwhelmingly spicy. You can easily adjust the heat by adding less or more red pepper flakes based on your preference.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this One Pan Baked Ziti Recipe turns out—cheesy, saucy, and perfectly cozy without a ton of fuss. When I first tried making baked ziti in one pan, I was skeptical, but this method quickly became my go-to on busy nights. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find yourself reaching for this skillet again and again whenever you crave that ultimate comfort food with minimal cleanup. So go ahead, gather your ingredients and treat yourself to this delicious, no-fuss baked ziti!