A delightful twist on the classic baked ziti, featuring a rich and flavorful sauce paired with perfectly baked pasta and cheese.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Preheating ensures even cooking and a perfect bake.
Remove the casings from the sausage and crumble it into a large skillet.
Removing the casings allows the sausage to cook evenly and blend well with the sauce.
Heat the olive oil in the skillet and brown the sausage over medium heat.
Browning the sausage enhances its flavor and adds depth to the sauce.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until translucent.
Cooking the onions and garlic releases their natural sweetness and aroma.
Blend the canned tomatoes lightly to break them up, then add them to the skillet.
Blending the tomatoes ensures a smooth sauce with a bit of texture.
Stir in the tomato paste, thyme, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes.
Simmering allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Cook the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just under al dente.
Undercooking the pasta slightly prevents it from becoming mushy during baking.
Combine the pasta, sauce, cubed mozzarella, and half of the parmesan in a baking dish.
Mixing the ingredients thoroughly ensures even distribution of flavors.
Top with sliced mozzarella and the remaining parmesan cheese.
A generous cheese topping creates a golden, bubbly crust.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
Baking brings all the flavors together and creates a delicious crust.
Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving.
Allowing the dish to cool slightly makes it easier to serve and enhances the flavors.
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