Baked Ziti

Ingredients

8oz    Bulk Italian sausage

2T       Olive oil

3/4C   Diced onions

2T       Chopped fresh garlic

1/2t       Thyme dried

1/2t       Oregano dried

1/2t       Basil dried

1/2t      Red pepper flakes

28oz   Cento whole crushed tomatoes in purée

4oz       Mascarpone cheese

Salt and black pepper to taste

2C      Dry ziti pasta

1/2lb.   Provolone cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1/2C    Grated Parmesan

Process

Preheat oven to 400°.

Coat a 2-quart casserole dish with nonstick spray.

Cook sausage in oil in a saucepan over medium heat, crushing with a potato masher until fine and cooked through, 5–7 minutes;

Transfer to a bowl.

Sweat onions, garlic, thyme, oregano, basil, and pepper flakes in drippings over medium heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until onions soften, about 10 minutes.

Stir in tomatoes and sausage,

Bring sauce to a simmer

Cook 15 minutes;

Cool 15 minutes.

Stir in mascarpone, then season sauce with salt and black pepper.

While the sauce cooking and cooling

Cook the ziti in a pot of boiling salted water 8 minutes and drain

Combine sauce, ziti, and provolone;

Transfer to the 2qt prepared dish

Sprinkle with Parmesan.

Bake until hot throughout and bubbling around the edges, about 30 minutes. Let ziti rest 20 minutes before serving.