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Baked Ziti Made Simple: One Pot, Big Flavor

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This baked ziti skips the usual pile of dishes without giving up a single bite of flavor. Everything, pasta, sauce, sausage, and gooey cheese, comes together in one pot, right on the stove. No layering, no oven, no mess.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

4 links Italian sausage

1/2 medium onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

2 cups crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

4 cups penne or ziti pasta (330 grams)

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)

Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Instructions

  1. Start by removing the sausage from its casings. Add the sausage and chopped onion to a large saucepan set over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon, until it’s browned and the onion is soft and fragrant, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Let everything cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, just until the garlic is golden and the herbs have bloomed into the oil.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, broth, and spinach. Stir until the spinach begins to wilt and everything is evenly combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  4. Once it’s simmering, stir in the dry pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and let it cook, stirring often, until the pasta is perfectly tender. This should take about 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the shape of the pasta you’re using. Smaller shapes like elbows or shells tend to cook a little faster.
  5. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. If it’s too tangy, you can stir in a pinch of sugar to balance it out.
  6. Scatter your cheese of choice, mozzarella or a blend works beautifully, over the top, cover the pan again, and let it sit just long enough for the cheese to melt into a gooey layer.
  7. Spoon into bowls and serve warm. It’s cozy, one-pan comfort food at its best.

Equipment

Notes

If you’re using turkey or chicken sausage, add a tablespoon of oil to the pan before adding the sausage to prevent sticking.

  • Author: Jennifer West
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stove
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://evryfoodie.com/baked-ziti/