Meals Matter

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Contributed By: ndhuffaker
Food Network

Great Italian dish. Complement it with a fresh salad and garlic bread.

Ingredients

1 lb Cooked ziti pasta

Kosher salt

Tomato sauce (see below)

1 lb Fresh mozzarella, half cut into 1/2-inch cubes and half thinly sliced

3/4 cup Freshly grated Parmesan, divided

1/2 teaspoon Ground pepper

Pinch red pepper flakes

Tomato sauce ingredients:

2 tablespoons EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

1 lb Sweet or spicy Italian sausages, casings removed and crumbled

1/4 Medium onion, diced (about 3 tablespoons)

3 cloves Garlic, chopped

3 1/2 cups Whole, peeled, canned tomatoes in puree (one 28-ounce can), roughly chopped

Sprig fresh thyme

Sprig fresh basil

2 teaspoons Kosher salt

Black pepper

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Prepare tomato sauce (see below)

3. Toss cooked ziti pasta with the tomato sauce, cubed mozzarella, half the Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and pepper flakes.

4. Transfer the pasta to an oiled 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Cover the top of pasta with with the sliced mozzarella, and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Bake until lightly browned and hot, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Tomato Sauce preparation:

1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes.

2. Add the onion and garlic to saucepan. Stir until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more.

3. Add tomatoes and herb sprigs, bringing entire mixture to a boil.

4. Lower the heat and simmer covered for 10 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper to taste.

5. Use now (see above) or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Cook's Notes

If you like your food a bit spicier, go with the spicy Italian sausage. I always do! If you can't find tomatoes in puree, use a can of tomatoes (drained) with a separate can of puree. Sometimes its better to add a bit more puree than the recipe calls for, otherwise its a bit dry. Enjoy!

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