Baked Ziti

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 lb italian sausage (i like to use the hot, but mild or sweet works as well)
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 3 -4 garlic cloves, minced (depending on taste)
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
• crushed red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper
• 3/4 lb penne rigate
• 1 lb mozzarella cheese (i buy frigo or similar brand in a ball shape, easier to work with)
• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese (save half to top the pasta)
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (if you like it hot!)
• butter, for the dish

Recipe

• 1 to make the sauce:.
• 2 in a large pot, brown italian sausage over medium high heat until cooked through. about 5 minute.
• 3 reduce heat to medium, add onion and garlic. cook until opaque. about 3-4 minute.
• 4 combine tomatoes, italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt/pepper with onion, garlic, meat mixture and bring to a boil.
• 5 reduce heat to a simmer and cook covered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 6 baked ziti:.
• 7 cook pasta according to package, generally about 9-11 minutes for al dente.
• 8 halve the mozzarella. cut half the portion into cubes, and the other half into thin slices (should look like discs, which will go on top of the pasta).
• 9 combine drained pasta with sauce, cubed mozzarella, 1/2 the parmesan cheese, and a pinch of red pepper.
• 10 place the combined pasta/sauce/cheese into a buttered 9x13 pan (i like to use my le crueset, presents better at the table).
• 11 top with remaining mozzarella slices and parmesan cheese.
• 12 bake in a 400°f oven for 45 minutes until the pasta is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.