Baked Ziti

Serve 4

10 oz ziti, preferably whole-wheat if you can find it
1  Tbsp olive oil
2  links pre-cooked chicken or turkey sausage, diced
1  medium yellow onion, diced
2  cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 can (28 oz) tomato puree
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
3⁄4 cup cubed mozzarella (preferably fresh)
Parmesan for grating

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until a minute shy of being done (it’ll finish cooking in the oven).
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.
3. Add the sausage and cook for about 2 minutes, until lightly browned. Add the onion, garlic, and pepper flakes, and cook until the onion is soft and translucent.
4. Stir in the tomato puree, plus a good pinch of salt and black pepper.
5. Reduce the heat and simmer for at least 10 minutes.
6. Drain the pasta.
7. Add to the skillet and toss with the sauce.
8. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil and mozzarella.
9. Dump the pasta into a 12″ x 9″ baking dish, sprinkle the top with a bit of Parmesan, and cover with foil. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the top is crusty and browned.
10. Garnish with basil leaves and serve.

Eat this, Not that