Baked Ziti with Sausage

Adapted from Cooking Light

Our class schedule for this semester includes a night class on Mondays, so we've had to rethink our evening cooking. We've found some great recipes that we can make in the afternoon and then take to class to heat up. The great thing is we also have leftovers the next day. Making meals ahead of time and in large proportions is teaching us what it will be like to be moms one day!

Ingredients:

• 1 (1 lb.) box of ziti
• 1 lb. ground sausage
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 2 (14.5 oz.) cans of petite diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tsp. dried basil
• cooking spray
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 cup grated Parmesan

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Cook sausage, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Add the tomato paste, salt, pepper, and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Combine pasta, sausage mixture, and basil. Pour half into a casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Top with 1/2 cup of mozzarella and 1/2 cup of Parmesan. Add the rest of the pasta on top and cover with the rest of the cheeses.

Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbling.

Yield: 8 servings