Perfect-Potluck-Dish-Sausage-and-Pepper-Baked-Ziti0.jpg

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 lbs sweet Italian sausageor hot Italian sausage , sweet cut crosswise into one inch chunks
  • 4 garlic cloves , minced
  • 2 large bell peppers , cut into 1/4 inch pieces
  • 1 large onion , cut croswise and then cut into 1/4 inch slices
  • 1 (28ounce)can whole tomatoes
  • 1 (15ounce)can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 lb ziti pasta or penne pasta
  • 1 (8ounce)package part-skim mozzarella cheese , cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated romano cheese

DIRECTIONS

  1. Prepare sauce. In deep nonstick 12 inch skillet cook sausage over medium heat 5 minutes or until browned on all sides, stirring occasionally.
  2. Reduce heat to medium.
  3. Discard all but two tablespoons sausage fat.
  4. To sausage in skillet add garlic, peppers and onion
  5. Cook until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
  6. Stir in whole tomatoes,tomato sauce,salt,oregano and basil.
  7. Heat to boiling over medium heat breaking up tomatoes with side of spoon.
  8. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 10 minutes.
  9. Meanwhile preheat oven to 400.
  10. Heat large coveredsaucepot of salted water to boiling over high heat.
  11. Add pasta; cook 2 minutes less than cooking time recommended on label.
  12. Drain well.
  13. Combine vegetables with pasta.
  14. Pour into 9 x 13 greased pan. Spread mozzarellacubes on top.
  15. Bake 30 minutes.
  16. Before serving sprinkle romano cheese on top.