Ziti Bake
Ziti Bake
Miz Helen's Kitchen
Ingredients
16 ounces dry Ziti Pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound Italian Sausage Links
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups stewed tomatoes
3 cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup pasta water
3 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons basil
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 cups Shredded Italian Style Cheese ( Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan, Romano, Fontina, Asiago mix)
Directions
For The Pasta
Cook Pasta in very salty water and about 9 minutes, retain 1/2 cup of the pasta water for the sauce, then drain and set aside
For The Sauce
Cut the link sausage in 1/2 inch pieces, (the pieces will look like little meat balls)
In a large very hot skillet add 1 tablespoon olive oil then add the sausage pieces, cook the sausage until done and browned
Remove the sausage to a paper towel and drain leaving the oils in the skillet
Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and saute the onion
Add the stewed tomatoes, the tomato sauce and the 1/2 cup pasta water to the onions and garlic
Add the browned sausage pieces to the tomato mixture and mix well
Add the oregano, basil, salt, pepper and fennel seeds mix well
Simmer the mixture for 20 to 30 minutes
Add the Ziti Pasta and mix well
You can serve the dish at this point or you can bake it
To Bake
Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with cooking spray
Pour the Ziti mixture into the baking dish
Add the cheese on top
Bake 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly browned on top
Garnish with Fresh Basil