Three Cheese Baked Ziti

• servings: 12 servings
• active time: 15 minutes
• total time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound (16-ounces) mild Italian sausage (See Tip 1)

1 cup chopped onion (1 medium onion)

2 cloves minced garlic

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

14 ½ ounce can Petit Diced Tomatoes

8 ounce can tomato sauce

6 ounce can tomato paste

1 teaspoon light brown sugar

1/4 cup red wine

1/2 cup water

12 ounces (3 cups) uncooked Ziti

Meat Sauce (See Tip 2)

1 1/2 cups (12-ounces) ricotta cheese, preferably homemade (See Tip 3)

4 1/2 cups (18-ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1 cup (4-ounces) grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 egg

Directions

Meat Sauce (See Tip 3)

Brown and crumble Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain well on paper towels. (See Tip 4)

Wipe out skillet with paper towels and return to medium heat. Add the onions; cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds unti fragrant.

Add drained sausage, basil, oregano, salt and pepper; stir to combine. Add petit diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste; stir to combine. Add brown sugar, red wine and water; stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 3 hours.

Three Cheese Baked Ziti

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.

Cook Ziti in boiling water to al dente stage, about 10 minutes. Drain in colander; rinse with cold water. Set aside.

Combine ricotta cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2-cup grated Parmesan cheese, and egg in a large bowl. Add cooked Ziti; mix to combine. Add 2 cups of the meat sauce; mix to combine.

Place half of Ziti mixture in prepared baking dish. Top with half of remaining meat sauce and half of remaining mozzarella cheese. Repeat with remaining Ziti, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle remaining grated Parmesan cheese on top. (See Tip 5)

Bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Yield: 10 to 12 servings. (See Tips 6 and 7)

Nutrition

• Calories: 440 kcal
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 77 mg
• Sodium: 1415 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 40 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3 g
• Total Sugars: 8 g
• Protein: 29 g