pat's Recipe

Baked Ziti l

Category: Baked

Salt and pepper
1 lb. Italian sausage, preferably bulk or ground meat of any type, or a combination
1 large onion, diced
1 Tbs. minced garlic, optional
1 28 oz. can tomatoes, chopped, with liquid
1 lb. ziti or other large cut pasta
1 lb. mozzarella, grated or chopped
Olive oil or butter as needed
1/2 C. freshly grated Parmesan, optional

Directions

Bring large pot of water to boil; add salt. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Distribute meat in large skillet over medium high heat and cook, undisturbed, until browned on one side, about 5 minutes. Stir, cook another 2 minutes undisturbed, then add the onion and garlic, if using. Lower heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft; add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Simmer while cooking pasta, stirring and seasoning with salt and pepper to taste; do not let sauce become too thick.
Cook pasta until just tender; it should still be too hard to eat. Drain it (do not shake the colander; allow some water to cling to the noodles) and toss it with the sauce and half the mozzarella. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and spoon mixture into it. Top with remaining mozzarella and the Parmesan if using. Bake until top is browned and cheese bubbly, 20-30 minutes.

serves 6