Description
This One Pan Baked Ziti recipe is a comforting and hearty Italian-American dish made with ground Italian sausage, ziti pasta, tomato sauce, and a blend of cheeses, all cooked together in a single skillet for easy cleanup. Rich, cheesy, and full of robust flavors from herbs and spices, this baked ziti is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Vegetables and Herbs
- 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
Pantry Staples
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 3 cups water
- 12 ounces ziti pasta (or similar pasta)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450°F (232°C) to prepare for the final baking step where the cheese will melt and brown beautifully.
- Brown the sausage: Heat a large 12-inch or bigger oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook it, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s nicely browned and cooked through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Sauté garlic and spices: Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to the browned sausage. Cook them together for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, which elevates the flavor base.
- Add tomato components and herbs: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil, and oregano. Mix well and reduce the heat to let the sauce simmer gently, stirring occasionally for 5-10 minutes to develop deep flavor.
- Cook pasta in sauce: Pour in 3 cups of water and add the dry ziti pasta directly into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender and have absorbed the sauce flavors.
- Add cream and cheese: Stir in half and half and freshly grated parmesan cheese to create a creamy texture. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Top with mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the skillet mixture.
- Bake to finish: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely and turned golden brown on top.
- Serve and enjoy: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and serve your hearty, cheesy baked ziti immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for families as it combines rich flavors with simple preparation using just one pan for minimal cleanup.
- To add freshness, you can sprinkle 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves on top after baking if you didn’t use dried basil.
- The recipe is flexible: you can swap ground Italian sausage with ground beef or turkey for a leaner option.
- Using an oven-safe skillet is essential since the dish transitions from stovetop cooking to baking in the same pan.
- Keep an eye on the cooking pasta step to avoid overcooking; stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom.
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
