BAKED ZITI

By Jaxson

Ingredients

• SAUCE:
• 2 TBSP OLIVE OIL
• 1 MEDIUM ONION, CHOPPED
• 3 CLOVES GARLIC, SLICED
• 1 CAN (28OZ) WHOLE TOMATOES
• 1 CAN (15OZ) TOMATO SAUCE
• 2 TBSP TOMATO PASTE
• 2 TSP SUGAR
• 1/4 TSP SALT
• 1/4 TSP BLACK PEPPER
• 1 CAN (14.5 OZ) BASIL, OREGANO, DICED TOMATOES, DRAINED
• 1/4 CUP FRESH BASIL LEAVES, CHOPPED
• ZITI & CHEESE:
• 1 BOX (16OZ) ZITI
• 1 BAG (8OZ) SHREDDED PART-SKIM MOZZARELLA CHEESE
• 1/4 CUP GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE

Preparation

Step 1

CRUMBLE 1 PD SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE IN A 3 QT SAUCEPAN OVER MEDIUM HEAT.

COOK 8 MINUTES, OR UNTIL NO LONGER PINK.

REMOVE FROM POT WITH A SLOTTED SPOON

ADD ONION TO POT; COOK 4 MINUTES.

ADD GARLIC AND COOK ANOTHER MINUTE.

STIR IN WHOLE TOMATOES AND THEIR JUICE, BREAKING TOMATOES APART WITH A WOODEN SPOON.

STIR IN TOMATO SAUCE, TOMATO PASTE, SUGAR, SALT AND PEPPER.

SIMMER, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY, FOR 20 MINUTES

REMOVE PAN FROM HEAT. STIR IN SAUSAGE, DICED TOMATOES AND BASIL.

BRING A LARGE POT OF LIGHTLY SALTED WATER TO BOILING. ADD ZITI; BOIL 10 MINUTES DRAIN AND TRANSFER TO A LARGE BOWL. ADD HALF THE SAUCE TO BOWL WITH ZITI. STIR TO COAT. POUR ZITI MIXTURE INTO PREPARED DISH. TOP WITH REMAINING SAUCE AND THEN SPRINKLE WITH THE CHEESE

BAKE AT 375 FOR 20-25 MINUTES UNTIL BUBBLY AND LIGHTLY BROWNED.