Sausage & Peppers Ziti Marinara - Olive Garden

By MJH

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs sweet or hot Italian sausages links
• 1 1/3 cups green bell pepper, seeded & cut into 1” x 1/4” strips
• 1 can Italian-style or plum tomatoes, including liquid (28 oz)
• 1 can tomato puree (10 3/4 oz)
• 1 tsp garlic cloves, chopped finely
• 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup basil, fresh, chopped finely, firmly packed
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 lb ziti or penne pasta, cooked according to package directions
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Parmesan cheese, grated

Preparation

Step 1

Pre-heat oven to 350ºF.

BAKE sausage links in oven for 20 minutes or until completely cooked.

Cut sausages in half lengthwise; then cut into 1/2" slices.

Result will be semi-circles of sausage.

Set aside.

SAUTE pepper slices in olive oil until their crispness is lost, but not soft.

CHOP tomatoes or use a food processor on “pulse”; do not puree tomatoes.

COMBINE chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, garlic, olive oil and fresh basil in sauce pan. Bring to a simmer.

Add sausage pieces and stir well.

TRANSFER cooked, drained pasta to large serving platter.

Top with sausage & pepper marinara mixture.

GARNISH with parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.