Baked Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Cheese

After having to go back to work after a nice 4-day Thanksgiving weekend, I needed some comfort food for dinner. This is definite comfort food, but then again, what pasta dish isn't?? It also heated up really well for leftovers the next day.

Baked Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Cheese
Adapted from Cooking Light as seen on Cooking This and That

I apologize for the picture - I REALLY need a light box in the winter! Also, I really wanted to eat!

from Cooking Light

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:
1 (1-pound) package uncooked ziti (short tube-shaped pasta)
1 pound hot turkey Italian sausage links (I used pork sausage because it was on sale)
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 (14.5-ounce) cans petite-diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (I used dried since I couldn't find fresh at the store)
Cooking spray
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded fresh mozzarella cheese (I just used the stuff in the bag :) )
1 cup (4 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese (I used canned Parmesan cheese)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain the pasta, 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, 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. (I just used a 9x13 pan and it worked fine) Top with half of mozzarella and half of Parmesan. Repeat layers.

Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

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