BAKED ZITI WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Instructions

1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to boil in a dutch oven, cook pasta until al dente.  Strain, reserving1/4 cup of pasta cooking water.  Return pasta to pot and stir in 1 TBS of olive oil. Set aside.
2. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a 12 inch non-stick skillet  over high heat, until shimmering.  Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up into smaller pieces and until it loses its pink color - about 5 -7 minutes.  Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant - about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10  minutes. Off the heat, stir in basil and season with kosher salt and ground pepper.
3. Add the tomato sauce and reserved pasta-cooking water to the pasta, stir to combine.  Pour half the pasta mixture into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish or similarly sized shallow casserole dish.  Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and half the parmesan.  Pour the remaining pasta on top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.  Stir gently to combine. Cover with foil and bake until the cheese melts, about 15 - 20 minutes.  Remove the foil and continue to bake until the cheese begins to brown, about 5 or so more minutes.  Serve while hot!