Easy Eggplant and Italian Sausage Skillet Baked Ziti

This easy eggplant and Italian sausage skillet baked ziti is a healthier, comforting pasta dinner loaded with vegetables, Italian sausage and ricotta that only takes one skillet a pot to boil noodles. Perfect for date night in or weeknight family dinners!

When it comes to dinner, pasta is typically something that's easy and the whole family can agree on. When you want to elevate pasta night, but keep it just as easy, this skillet baked ziti with eggplant and Italian sausage is your answer!

Why You'll Love This Skillet Baked Ziti

This isn’t any ordinary baked ziti. It's eggplant and Italian sausage baked ziti. And it's baked right in the skillet you cook the sausage and eggplant in. So it's fast, flavorful, and healthy!

What Makes This Eggplant Italian Sausage Baked Ziti Healthy?

Not only is this pasta dish full of healthy veggies like eggplant, onions, and tomato sauce (yay lycopene!), but it also has lean turkey Italian sausage and wholesome whole wheat penne pasta. It's the perfect trifecta of protein, veggies, and whole grains in one dish! If you aren't using homemade pasta sauce, look for one with no added sugar. 

How To Make Skillet Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Eggplant

1. In a saucepan, bring water to a boil and cook penne to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a large oven-safe skillet, brown the Italian sausage. Add the onion, garlic and eggplant and continue cooking until vegetables are softened. 
3. Stir in tomato sauce and penne. 
4. Stir together basil and ricotta. Drop it by the spoonful onto the pasta mixture and lightly press each dollop down into the pasta.
5. Sprinkle the top with cheese and bake until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.

Can I Make Baked Ziti In Advance?

Yes! Baked ziti is great to make in advance. Just make it up until the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate until you're ready to bake it. You may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes.

Can I Make This Gluten Free?

Absolutely. Simply substitute your favorite gluten-free noodles for the whole wheat ones.

More Pasta Recipes You'll Love

• Easy One Pot Tortellini Lasagna Soup
• Broccoli Pesto Pasta Almondine
• Butternut Squash Sage Chicken Spaghetti
• Vegan Arugula Avocado Pesto Pasta

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!

Easy Eggplant Italian Sausage Skillet Baked Ziti

Print Recipe

This easy eggplant and Italian sausage skillet baked ziti is a healthier, comforting pasta dinner loaded with vegetables, Italian sausage and ricotta that only takes one skillet a pot to boil noodles. Perfect for date night in or weeknight family dinners!

• Author: Kaleigh
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
• Category: main dish
• Method: baked
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz whole wheat pene pasta, cooked al dente
• ½ lb turkey or chicken Italian sausage
• ½ eggplant, cubes (about 4 cups)
• ½ medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• about 5 basil leaves, chopped
• 2 ½ cups spaghetti sauce
• 1 cup shredded part skim mozzarella

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Prepare penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. While pasta is cooking, brown the Italian sausage in a large oven-safe skillet and cook through.
4. Add eggplant, onion and garlic. continue cooking over medium heat and cook while stirring until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
5. Stir in cooked penne and pasta sauce.
6. In a small bowl, stir together basil and ricotta.
7. Drop ricotta by small spoonfuls onto the pasta and press down lightly into the pasta. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top.
8. Bake about 25 minutes, until sauce is bubbly and cheese is lightly browned. Remove from oven and serve.

Notes

• For gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free noodles.
• If you are not using homemade spaghetti sauce, look for sauce without any added sugar.
• This recipe is easily doubled. Just bake it in a 9 x 13 baking dish.
• To make ahead, make the recipe up until the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate until you are ready to bake. You may need to extend the baking time by a few minutes.

Keywords: eggplant baked ziti, Italian sausage baked ziti, skillet baked ziti