One Pan No-Boil Pasta Bake (Ready in 45 Minutes)

Cheesy no-boil pasta bake with penne, sausage and broccoli in tomato sauce, topped with fresh basil.

3.67 from 6 votes

One Pan No-Boil Pasta Bake (Ready in 45 Minutes)

This No-Boil Pasta Bake is a cozy one-pan dinner that comes together with just 5 minutes of prep. Everything cooks in the oven for a cheesy, comforting meal ready in under an hour, and you can easily customize it with your favorite sauce, protein, or veggies.

Prep Time5

Cook Time40

Total Time45

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings: Servings

Calories: 432.33kcal

Author: Sarah Hill

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package of penne, ziti or fusilli pasta
2 (16 ounce) jars of marinara or pasta sauce*
1 ½ cups water
3 cups broccoli or veggies of choice cut into bite-sized pieces
1 (12 ounce package) chicken sausage cut into bite-sized rounds
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic minced
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup mozzarella cheese

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven 400 degrees F. Spread about ¼ cup sauce across the bottom of the dish.
2 (16 ounce) jars of marinara or pasta sauce*
Top the sauce with pasta, chicken sausage, vegetables, parmesan cheese, water and jars of marinara sauce. Then add salt, black pepper, garlic cloves, and Italian seasoning.
1 (16 ounce) package of penne, ziti or fusilli pasta, 1 ½ cups water, 3 cups broccoli or veggies of choice, 1 (12 ounce package) chicken sausage, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, 2 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, 2 (16 ounce) jars of marinara or pasta sauce*
Mix well with a large spoon until the pasta is fully coated in sauce and liquid.
Top with mozzarella cheese. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
1 cup mozzarella cheese
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 8-10 minutes. Broil for 1-2 minutes, if desired, until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

- Don't skip the foil during baking. It traps steam and keeps the pasta from drying out.
- Don't reduce the liquid, even for a half batch. Use a smaller dish and keep the same ratio.
- Make ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time if baking from cold.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Updated August 2026 — retested the water ratio and bake time so the pasta cooks through perfectly every time.

Nutrition