BAKED ZITI WITH MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Set the oven rack to the middle position. Preheat oven to 375°F (190ºC).
• In a large dutch oven or pot bring water and salt to a boil. Add in the ziti, cook according to package directions until al dente, about 9 to 10 minutes. Drain the noodles in a colander, and rinse with cool water for about 30 seconds to stop the cooking. Separate the noodles with a spoon so they do not stick together, leaving some excess water on the surface and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in the dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking up the meat into smaller pieces, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the onion, garlic, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings, sauté until onions are translucent, about 3 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir and simmer for 10 minutes. Season tomato sauce with more salt and pepper to taste. Reserve 2 cups of meat sauce.
• Add the ziti pasta to the meat sauce in the dutch oven or pot, stir to combine.
• In a medium-sized bowl stir together ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, parsley, and egg.
• In a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish add half of the pasta. Evenly dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top of the pasta. Spread half of the reserved meat sauce on top.
• Spread the remaining pasta on top, followed by the ricotta cheese mixture, and the remaining meat sauce.
• Evenly sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of parmesan cheese on top of the ziti casserole.
• Loosely cover the baking dish with foil so that it does not touch the pasta.
• Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown, 15 minutes.
• Garnish with chopped parsley and parmesan cheese.