Baked Ziti

Instructions

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook 1 lb of ziti or penne pasta for 3 minutes less than the package directions indicate, as it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the pasta and toss it with a splash of oil to prevent sticking.

2. 2

   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium heat, brown 1 lb of Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon until cooked through. Add 1 medium diced onion and cook for 4 minutes, then add 4 cloves of minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

3. 3

   Pour in 2 jars (24 oz each) of marinara sauce, and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.

4. 4

   In a separate bowl, mix together 15 oz of whole-milk ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper until smooth.

5. 5

   In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, ricotta mixture, and 1½ cups of shredded whole-milk mozzarella. Toss everything together until well mixed, then pour into a greased 9×13 baking dish.

6. 6

   Spread the remaining mozzarella and all of the ½ cup of grated Parmesan over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes; then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbling, and spotted with golden brown patches. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.