Baked Ziti With Sausage

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 (16 ounce) package dry ziti pasta
• 1 pound mild italian sausage
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 large yellow onion, minced
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded italian cheese blend
• 1 teaspoon dried basil (optional)

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Ready Time: 1 hr


• preheat an oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. once the water is boiling, stir in the ziti, and return to a boil. cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. drain well in a colander set in the sink.
• while pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. add the sausage, and cook and stir until brown, about 10 minutes. drain sausage and set aside.
• stir together the ricotta, egg, onion, garlic, and oregano in a large bowl until well combined. stir in the drained pasta, the drained sausage, salt, pepper, and 1/2 jar of the spaghetti sauce; mix well.
• in the prepared baking dish, cover the bottom with 1/3 jar of spaghetti sauce. layer 1/2 of the pasta mixture, 1/3 jar of spaghetti sauce, and 1/2 of the shredded cheese. then layer the remaining 1/2 of the pasta, 1/3 of the sauce, and 1/2 of the cheese. sprinkle with basil. cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
• bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. uncover; return to the oven and bake until cheese is melted, 5 to 10 more minutes.