Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
Pasta tubes baked with crumbled Italian sausage, creamy ricotta and plenty of melted mozzarella in tomato sauce.
Made with Basic tomato sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 5
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.25 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Cook the pasta in boiling salted water for 3 minutes less than the packet says, so it is still firm. Drain.
- 2
Squeeze the sausage meat from the skins. Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium high heat and fry for 8 minutes, breaking it up, until browned.
8 min - 3
Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) and simmer for 5 minutes.
- 4
Mix the pasta into the sausage sauce. Tip half into a large baking dish, dot with spoonfuls of the ricotta and a third of the mozzarella.
- 5
Add the rest of the pasta mix, then top with the remaining mozzarella and the parmesan.
- 6
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 15 minutes more until golden and bubbling. Scatter with basil.
35 min
Tips
- Undercook the pasta so it finishes cooking in the oven and does not go mushy.
- Use whole milk ricotta for a creamy, rich result.
- Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving. The sauce settles and the pasta holds its shape.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 90 minutes. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Freeze portions for up to 3 months.
Questions
Can I use gluten free pasta?
Yes, and use gluten free sausages. Cook gluten free pasta for 2 minutes less than the packet, as it softens quickly in the oven.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Assemble the whole dish up to a day ahead, cover and chill. Add 10 minutes to the covered baking time.
Can I leave out the sausage?
Yes. Swap it for mushrooms or spinach, which gives a vegetarian bake. Use vegetarian cheese in place of parmesan.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.