Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Ricotta

Sometimes I feel like I need to say something really profound and compelling in these posts...ha well I don't know if I ever get there.  But today I have nothing to say at all...I worked night shift last night, so I'm pretty sleep deprived.  But this was Sunday dinner and it sure was GOOD!  Actually it was "Linner"...you know when you eat lunch so late it becomes dinner.

Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Ricotta

1 lb ziti pasta

1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed

4 cups jarred marinara sauce (homemade or store bought)

1 small onion, diced

1/2 red bell pepper, diced

4 garlic cloves, chopped

1 tsp dried Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper, use less for a milder flavor

15 oz ricotta cheese

8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

olive oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a large pan over medium-high heat, add a small amount of oil and brown the sausage; breaking up any large chunks as the meat browns.  When the sausage is no longer pink, add the onion, red bell pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper; saute until the onions are translucent and begin to brown.  Add in the jarred marinara sauce and bring to a simmer.  Meanwhile cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the instructions on the package; Drain the pasta.  Ladle a thin layer of the sauce into a 9x13-inch baking dish.  Drop 1/2 the ricotta cheese by spoonfuls over top the sauce; top with half the Parmesan cheese.  Add the pasta to the remaining sauce and toss until mixed well.  Now add the pasta to the baking dish.  Drop the remaining ricotta by spoonfuls onto the pasta.  Scatter the remaing Parmesan cheese; then top with the mozzarella.  Bake for about 20-30 minutes, until it's all nice and bubbly.  Then I usually stick it under the broiler for a minute, just because I like a little crispy brown cheese.

Serves 8