Ingredients

• 1 pound dried ziti pasta
• Kosher salt
• 3 1/2 cups Quick Tomato Sauce, recipe follows
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella, half cut into 1/2-inch cubes and half thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch red pepper flakes

Directions

Quick Tomato Sauce:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound sweet and or spicy Italian sausages, casing removed and crumbled

1/4 medium onion, diced (about 3 tablespoons)

3 cloves garlic, chopped

3 1/2 cups whole, peeled, canned tomatoes in puree, (one 28-ounce can), roughly chopped

Sprig fresh thyme

Sprig fresh basil

2 teaspoons kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.

Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the salt and season with pepper, to taste. Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Copyright 2004 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

Yield: about 5 cups

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes