Baked Ziti with Sausage

Ingredients (10)

• 1 lb ziti or penne
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 15 oz ricotta
• 1 egg
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Steps

1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Boil the pasta in salted water 2 minutes short of al dente and drain.
2. Brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking it into crumbles. Add the garlic for 1 minute, then the marinara and Italian seasoning. Simmer 5 minutes.
3. Mix the ricotta with the egg, Parmesan, half the basil and a pinch of salt.
4. Toss the pasta with two-thirds of the sauce. Spread half in a 9x13 dish, dot with the ricotta, and add half the mozzarella. Repeat with the remaining pasta, sauce and mozzarella.
5. Bake uncovered 25 to 30 minutes until bubbling and browned at the edges.
6. Rest 10 minutes, then scatter with the rest of the basil.