Baked Ziti with Sausage

Ingredients

• 12 oz. uncooked ziti pasta
• 4 oz. pancetta or bacon, diced
• 1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 (1-lb.) pkg. ground Italian sausage
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup firmly packed torn fresh basil
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• ½ tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 (8-oz.) pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated (½ cup)

Instructions

1. 1Heat the oven to 350°F. Boil the ziti following the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture.
2. 2Place the diced pancetta in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for another 3 minutes until the onion softens.
3. 3Mix in the ground Italian sausage and cook for 5 minutes until no pink remains. Pour in the dry red wine and let it cook for 3 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, fresh basil, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper.
4. 4Turn the heat down to low and simmer the sauce for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. 5Fold the ricotta cheese and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella directly into the hot, drained pasta. Coat a 13- by 9-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray.
6. 6Move the cheesy pasta mixture into the greased baking dish and spoon the hot sausage sauce evenly over the top. Scatter the grated Parmesan and the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the surface.
7. 7Bake the casserole in the hot oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese melts and the edges bubble.

Fast Categories