Baked ziti with Italian sausage

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage (or hot sausage based on preference) casings removed
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 4 ounces mozzarella cheese cut into 1/4 inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
• 1 cup whole milk (or skim if preferred) ricotta cheese

Ingredients to top:

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped

Preparation:

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water, then drain pasta. Add 1 tablespoon oil to a sauté pan at medium high heat; add sausage, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until no longer pink; about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook, about 30 seconds. Stir in crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, bring to simmer, and cook until slightly thick, about 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, 30 to 45 minutes. Stir reserved cooking water, pasta, mozzarella and basil into cooled sauce; transfer to 13 by 9 inch baking dish. Combine ricotta, remaining 3 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in bowl; refrigerate until needed. Heat oven to 400°F. Bake casserole, covered until beginning to bubble around edges, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and add dollops of the ricotta mixture evenly over top. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan and bake, uncovered, until casserole is hot throughout and cheese is melted and begins to brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and serve.