Baked Ziti

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously, and boil the pasta until al dente, tender but still slightly firm. Drain.
3. Toss the cooked pasta with the marinara sauce, cubed mozzarella, half the Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and pepper flakes. Transfer the pasta to an oiled 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Cover the top of the pasta with the sliced mozzarella, and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan. Bake until lightly browned and hot, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
4. Quick Tomato Sauce:
5. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6. 1 pound sweet and or spicy Italian sausages, casing removed and crumbled
7. 1/4 medium onion, diced (about 3 tablespoons)
8. 3 cloves garlic, chopped
9. 3 1/2 cups whole, peeled, canned tomatoes in puree, (one 28-ounce can), roughly chopped
10. Sprig fresh thyme
11. Sprig fresh basil
12. 2 teaspoons kosher salt
13. Freshly ground black pepper
14. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
15. Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the salt and season with pepper, to taste. Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
16. Yield: about 5 cups
17. Prep Time: 8 minutes
18. Cook Time: 20 minutes