Top of the Stove Ziti

Get ready to fall in love with the rich, comforting flavors of "Top of the Stove Ziti," a one-pan wonder that combines ziti pasta with savory Italian sausage, a robust tomato sauce, and three luxurious cheeses—all cooked to perfection on your stovetop. With no need for oven baking, this quick and easy recipe delivers that indulgent baked ziti experience in just 30 minutes. The sauce, packed with garlic, onions, Italian seasoning, and a hint of red pepper flakes, perfectly coats tender pasta, while creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese create a gooey, irresistible topping. Ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners, this stovetop ziti is a hearty crowd-pleaser that’s packed with flavor and minimal hassle. Serve it straight from the skillet and finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil for a restaurant-quality touch!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti pasta
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage or ground beef
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1.5 cups water or chicken broth
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage (or beef) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and fully cooked, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 3

Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Add the cooked ziti pasta to the sauce. Pour in the water (or chicken broth) and gently mix everything to ensure the pasta is coated in the sauce. Cover the skillet and cook for 7–10 minutes over low heat to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 6

Stir in the ricotta cheese until well incorporated. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet again and let the cheese melt for 3–5 minutes.

Step 7

Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this cozy, stovetop ziti meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2796 grams (2796.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4165

Total Fat 228.70g	293%
Saturated Fat 91.60g	458%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 640mg	213%
Sodium 8083mg	351%
Total Carbohydrate 348.60g	127%
Dietary Fiber 33.00g	118%
Total Sugars 54.80g
Protein 202.10g	404%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2987mg	230%
Iron 26mg	146%
Potassium 3199mg	68%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.3%

Protein: 19.0%

Carbs: 32.7%