PASTA RUSTICA (BAKED ZITI)

PASTA RUSTICA (BAKED ZITI) image

Yield 6-8 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2T olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 lb. turkey sausage, casings removed
1t dried oregano
1/4t hot red pepper flakes
Fresh basil
1 can (28 oz.) tomatoes in puree, tomatoes coarsely chopped and puree reserved
Salt, to taste
1 lb. penne pasta
1 1/4c ricotta cheese
2c shredded fontina or mozzarella cheese
1/2c grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Steps:

In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, warm oil. Add onion and cook until golden, about 5 min. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 min. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up into bite-size pieces, until no longer pink, about 6 min. Stir in oregano and red pepper flakes. Add tomatoes with puree and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10-12 min. Add chopped basil and simmer until wilted, 1 -2 min. Taste and adjust seasonings. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a baking dish. Bring a large pot three-fourths full of water to a boil over high heat. Salt the water, add pasta, stir well and cook until barely al dente (tender but firm to the bite), 10-12 min. Drain well. In a large bowl, toss pasta with sauce, ricotta and fontina. Spread in pre-pared baking dish and sprinkle with Parmigiano-Rrreggiano. Bake until cheeses are melted and tips of pasta are crusty, about 30 min. Let stand 5 min. before serving. Serve hot.