Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Ziti Pasta (- uncooked (substitute: penne pasta))
• to taste Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper
• 1 TBS Olive Oil
• 1 small Yellow Onion (– finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups))
• 2-3 cloves Garlic ( – minced)
• 1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 pound Ground Sausage ((or Italian Sausages, casings removed))
• 1 tsp EACH: Dried Oregano, Paprika, Dried Basil, Granulated Sugar
• 2 TBS Tomato Paste
• 1 (28 ounce) Can Crushed Tomatoes
• 2/3 Cup Pepperoni (– diced (about 2.8 ounces))
• 1 1/4 cup Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
• 1/8 tsp Ground Nutmeg ((optional))
• 3/4 cup Finely Grated Parmesan (– DIVIDED, plus more for serving)
• 2 heaping cups Freshly Shredded Mozzarella (– freshly shredded (8 ounces))
• Optional Garnishes: Fresh Basil and/or Parsley, (Mini Pepperoni, Grated Parmesan)

Instructions

1. 1

   Soak Ziti Pasta: Soak the Ziti Pasta: Place the pasta in a large bowl and add enough lukewarm water to cover the pasta completely. Then, season the water generously with salt and stir to combine. Set the pasta aside and let stand on the counter for 50 minutes.

2. 2

   Start Tomato Sauce: Meanwhile, Start the Italian Sausage Tomato Sauce: Heat the oil in a large pot or large deep skillet over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onion and season with salt and pepper. Sauté until almost softened, about 3 minutes. Add in the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

3. 3

   Add Italian Sausage: Increase heat to medium-high and add in the italian sausage. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the sausage with the back of a wooden spoon, until browned. Add the oregano, paprika, basil and tomato paste to the meat and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes, or until the tomato paste is slightly caramelized. (Tip: If necessary drain off some of the fat, leaving the meat and vegetables in the skillet, before adding in the seasonings.)

4. 4

   Add Tomatoes; Simmer Sauce: Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Add in the crushed tomatoes and sugar. Bring to a rapid simmer and immediately reduce heat to maintain simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes, or until sauce is thickened. Taste sauce and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool while you prepare the filling and drain the pasta.

5. 5

   Make Ricotta Mixture: In a small bowl, stir together the ricotta with ¼ cup of parmesan, the nutmeg and 1/8 tsp of salt. Set aside

6. 6

   Drain Soaked Pasta: Drain the Pasta in a colander and return to the large bowl. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

7. 7

   Mix Pasta With Sauce: Add Sauce to Pasta: Add half of the sauce (about 2 ¼ cups) to the drained pasta and stir until the ziti noodles are well coated.

8. 8

   Fold In Ricotta: Fold in the Ricotta: Add the ricotta mixture to the sauced pasta and gently fold it in, making sure to leave large pockets of ricotta throughout.

9. 9

   Assemble Ziti in Casserole Dish: Assemble Ziti: Lightly spray a large casserole dish (9 x 13’’) with non-stick cooking spray. Add half of the pasta mixture to the casserole dish and gently spread in an even layer. Sprinkle half of the remaining parmesan (1/4 cup) and half of the mozzarella (1 cup) on top. Layer on the half of the pepperoni (1/3 cup). Top with the rest of the pasta mixture and spread it out in an even layer. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the top. Top with the rest of the pepperoni. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.

10. 10

    Bake Italian Sausage Ziti: Bake Ziti Covered: Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake on the middle shelf in the oven for 15 minutes. Uncover and Continue to Bake: Remove foil and continue to bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.

11. 11

    Let Sausage Ziti Cool Slightly: Let Ziti Cool Slightly: Remove the casserole from the oven to a wire rack and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

12. 12

    Serve Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage: Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh basil and/or parsley, grated parmesan, and crushed red pepper flakes over the top of the baked Italian sausage ziti. Serve immediately and enjoy!