Good pinch of cayenne pepper flakesmore if desired
1tspdried basil
1tspdried oregano
1can28 ounces whole San Marzano tomatoes
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Ziti Ingredients
1box16 ounces ziti
1Tbspkosher salt
Extra virgin olive oil for greasing the baking dish
3-1/2cupstomato sauce
1pound16 ounces fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese
3/4cupfreshly grated parmesan cheesedivided
1/2tspfreshly ground pepper
Instructions
All ingredients ready? Let's begin!
Tomato Sauce Instructions
Remove the sausage from the casing. Finely chop the onion. Peel and mince the garlic.
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the oil and cook the sausage, onions, and garlic until the sausage starts to brown, approximately 5 minutes. Break the meat up into smaller pieces with a spoon.
Add the cayenne, basil, and oregano. Cook until the spices and herbs are fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
Using your hands, crush the tomatoes into the saucepan. Add the liquid from the can. Lower the heat and cook the sauce at a low simmer for approximately 10 minutes until the excess liquid reduces. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Ziti Instructions
Fill a large stockpot with plenty of water to submerge the pasta in. Add the Kosher salt. Turn the heat to high. As soon as the water boils, add the pasta and cook until al dente – a little chewy. Drain the pasta and place it in a large mixing bowl.
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Cut the mozzarella into ½ inch cubes.
Oil a large baking dish.
Add the mozzarella, ⅓ cup parmesan, 3 ½ cups tomato and sausage sauce, and pepper to the bowl of pasta. Stir to combine well.
Pour the pasta into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the rest of the parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta.
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake until bubbling and golden brown on top, approximately 30 minutes.