Italian cuisine is my favorite. I love to cook it and I thoroughly enjoy mealtime! Sweet Harold made a second request this week and when he mentioned he'd like "something Italian," I suggested baked ziti 'cause it's his favorite. I didn't have time that particular day to spend hours making my famous homemade pasta sauce, so I added a few extras into our favorite jarred variety and the result was delicious!
1 pound Italian sausage (hot, mild, or sweet, your choice!)
3 cloves of garlic, minced
24 oz. jarred spaghetti sauce
8 oz. water
1 (14.5 oz.) can of tomato sauce with Italian seasonings
1 lb. dried ziti, cooked according to package directions and drained
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
2 cups shredded mozzarella provolone cheese blend, divided
fresh basil for garnish
In a large skillet, over medium heat, brown the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Stir the sausage frequently until it has cooked through. Add in the garlic and let it cook for a minute or so. Lower the heat so the garlic doesn't burn.
Add in the spaghetti sauce, water, and tomato sauce. Let this mixture simmer while the ziti cooks.
Stir the drained ziti into the sauce until well coated.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray. I recommend using the olive oil variety.
Spoon a layer of the ziti mixture into the baking dish. Add half the mozzarella and half the parmesan on top of the ziti.
Add another layer of ziti and the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Add remaining ziti and top with the mozzarella/provolone cheese.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 - 25 minutes until the cheese has melted and started to brown.
Looks delicious.
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