Pasta bake with sausage (baked ziti) is basically a lazy day lasagna with layers of pasta tossed in a rich tomato meat sauce packed with Italian sausage, layered with lots of gooey golden mozzarella cheese, and baked to perfection. It's an easy and delicious casserole dinner to make any day of the week. Plus, you can even make it ahead and freeze for another day.
Pasta bakes are always a go-to in our family, because they are easy to make and can feed a crowd. And the leftovers? They taste even better the next day. Seriously. Plus, it's a favourite for the kids (and obviously adults too!). Some of our other favourites to make are Cheesy Tortellini and Sausage Pasta Bake and Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta Bake.
And a crusty loaf of bread is always welcome alongside this pasta bake with Italian sausage. Some great options are: Pull Apart Garlic Bread, Cheesy Garlic Dinner Rolls, Ciabatta Rolls, or slices of French Baguettes.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Pasta Bake with Italian Sausage, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- pasta - I used penne, but you can use the more traditional ziti pasta. But really any kind of smaller pasta will work here such as elbow pasta, rotini, or farfalle.
- olive oil
- Italian sausage - you could use any kind of ground meat as well, such as ground beef, pork, turkey, or chicken. You may have to increase the amount of Italian seasoning used to compensate for the flavours in Italian sausage.
- onion
- garlic
- tomato sauce
- herbs - I used Italian seasoning, fresh parsley and fresh basil.
- cheese - Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
- salt and pepper
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, large pot (or 4 qt. Dutch oven), and 9x13 casserole pan.
How to Make the Best Pasta Bake with Italian Sausage (Baked Ziti)
- Boil the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente (fully cooked but still firm), about 8-10 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook the sausage. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large pot (or 4 qt. Dutch oven) for 2 minutes over medium-high heat until the hot oil sizzles. Add sausage and stir to cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Use a spatula to break the sausages into small pieces. Add onions and garlic and sauté until soft and tender, about 2-3 minutes. Stir to combine.
- Make the sauce. Pour in tomato sauce, turn the heat down to medium, and bring the meat sauce to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Stir in Italian seasoning, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, parsley and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmering helps develop richer flavour in the sauce.
- Add the pasta. Transfer the cooked and drained pasta into the sauce and toss well to mix evenly.
- Assemble. Spread half of the pasta into a 9x13 casserole pan and top with half of mozzarella cheese (1.5 cups). Add the remaining pasta and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake. Bake the pasta in a 375F preheated oven for 25 minutes until the melted cheese is golden brown. Let cool for 15 minutes, then serve.
Recipe Variations
- Use different sausage. We used a traditional Italian sausage, but you can experiment with any kind of sausage that you like! Try spicy sausage, chicken sausage, or even vegetarian sausage.
- Substitute for ground meat. You can switch out the sausage and substitute with any kind of ground meat in this pasta bake, such as ground beef, pork, turkey, or chicken. You may have to increase the amount of Italian seasoning used to compensate for the flavours in Italian sausage.
- Add veggies. Sneak in some extra nutrients by add in some vegetables such as sautéed spinach, bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or diced tomatoes.
- Make it spicy. Like to turn things up a notch? Add some heat with red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
- Try different pasta shapes. While the classic choice in a baked ziti is penne, rigatoni, or ziti, you can consider using other pasta shapes like fusilli, farfalle, or cavatappi for a different look and feel.
How to Serve
This Pasta Bake with Sausage is delicious served on its own as a complete dinner, or paired with some of my favorite pasta sides including:
- Arugula Salad
- Garlic Breadsticks
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- Sautéed Spinach
- Caesar Salad
- Cheesy Garlic Bread
For more recipe inspiration, see our 30 Side Dishes for Pasta.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Prepare the sausage. If using sausage with links, remove the casings and crumble the sausage. Then cook it a directed before adding it to the pasta bake.
- Prepare it ahead of time. You can prepare this sausage pasta bake ahead of time. Just assemble everything as directed in the recipe but don't bake it. Cover the casserole pan with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the fridge. When ready, bake it as directed. You may need to add a little extra time if needed.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
Make Ahead
Cook the pasta and the sauce and allow them to cool down. Then, assemble as directed in the recipe and store covered with plastic wrap or foil in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to bake. If baking from frozen, allow it to thaw first overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours on the kitchen counter.
How to Store
Store this sausage pasta bake covered with plastic cling wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply heat in the microwave, skillet or oven.
How to Reheat
Reheat leftovers in a 375 F preheated oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through. You can also reheat a smaller portion on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 30 second increments until warm.
How to Freeze
Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the sausage baked pasta to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator first, then reheat according to the instructions above.
More Pasta Recipes
- 40 Best Pasta Recipes
- Cheesy Tortellini and Sausage Pasta Bake
- Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta Bake
- Spaghetti Carbonara
- White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
- Pesto Penne Pasta
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Recipe
Pasta Bake with Sausage
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
Pasta bake with sausage (baked ziti) is a lazy day lasagna with layers of pasta tossed in a rich meat sauce, layered with mozzarella, and baked.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 grams) penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 4 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, divided
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 3 cups fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente (fully cooked but still firm), about 8-10 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large pot (or 4 qt. Dutch oven) for 2 minutes over medium-high heat until the hot oil sizzles. Add sausage and stir to cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Use a spatula to break the sausages into small pieces.
- Add onions and garlic and sauté until soft and tender, about 2-3 minutes. Stir to combine.
- Pour in tomato sauce, turn the heat down to medium, and bring the meat sauce to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Stir in Italian seasoning, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, parsley and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmering helps develop richer flavour in the sauce.
- Transfer the cooked and drained pasta into the sauce and toss well to mix evenly.
- Spread half of the pasta into a 9x13 casserole pan and top with half of mozzarella cheese (1.5 cups). Add the remaining pasta and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake the pasta for 25 minutes until the melted cheese is golden brown. Let cool for 15 minutes, then serve.
Notes
How to customize. You can use any kind of ground meat instead of sausage, such as ground beef, pork, turkey, or chicken. You may have to increase the amount of Italian seasoning used to compensate for the flavours in Italian sausage.
How to store: Store this sausage pasta bake covered with plastic cling wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply heat in the microwave, skillet or oven.
How to reheat: Reheat leftovers in a 375 F preheated oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through. You can also reheat a smaller portion on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 30 second increments until warm.
How to freeze: Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the sausage baked pasta to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator first, then reheat according to the instructions above.
How to make ahead: Cook the pasta and the sauce and allow them to cool down. Then, assemble as directed in the recipe and store covered in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to bake. If baking from frozen, allow it to thaw first overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours on the kitchen counter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
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Claudia Weidman says
Came out great. Added some mushrooms
Margaret says
I adlibbed a little and stirred in about 8 oz of whole milk ricotta in addition to what's listed. Oh. My. Goodness...really good! Great recipe!
Erin says
Followed this recipe (roughly) and really made very good pasta!! My husband is very happy about it😘
Lannan says
Amazing, definitely will be making this again!!
Sabrina Whitney says
So good! So easy! It's a keeper! Brought this dish at a friend's house with small children and we all loved it.
Jessie says
Just YUM YUM YUM!