Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

Ingredients

• 12 ounces ziti pasta
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. 2

   In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of ziti pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. 3

   In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 pound of Italian sausage, casing removed, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

4. 4

   Stir in 24 ounces of marinara sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.

5. 5

   In a mixing bowl, combine 15 ounces of ricotta cheese, 1 cup of fresh basil (chopped), and half of the 1 cup of Parmesan cheese. Mix well.

6. 6

   In a large baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti, followed by the sausage mixture, and then the ricotta mixture. Top with the remaining ziti and sprinkle with 2 cups of mozzarella cheese and the rest of the Parmesan cheese.

7. 7

   Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

8. 8

   Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.