Baked Ziti with Turkey Sausage

This is a yummy and healthier alternative to traditional baked ziti.

Ingredients

• 1 (1-pound) package uncooked ziti or penne
  
• 1 pound hot turkey Italian sausage ( I used Jennie-O)
  
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar
  
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans petite-diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
  

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Remove casings from sausage. Cook sausage, onion, and garlic in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Add the tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano, sugar, and tomatoes, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Combine cooked pasta, sausage mixture, and basil. Place half of the pasta mixture in a 4-quart casserole coated with cooking spray. Top with half of mozzarella. Repeat layers. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Serves 8.

If you like your pasta with a lot of sauce, consider decreasing pasta to 3/4 package. This comes together pretty quickly and makes a lot of pasta. I froze half to make again another week, but you may want to consider halving the recipe!