Make-Ahead Baked Ziti

Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti or penne
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 15 oz whole-milk ricotta
• 1 egg
• 1 lb mozzarella, shredded
• 1 cup grated parmesan
• Fresh basil

Instructions

1. 1

   Brown the sausage with the onion until well caramelized, then add the garlic, tomatoes, and oregano and simmer for twenty-five minutes.

2. 2

   Boil the pasta two minutes short of al dente, since it will keep cooking in the oven, and drain it well.

3. 3

   Beat the ricotta with the egg, half the parmesan, and a good pinch of salt until smooth and spreadable.

4. 4

   Layer half the pasta and sauce in a deep dish, dollop over the ricotta, then add the rest of the pasta, sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan.

5. 5

   Bake covered at 375F for twenty-five minutes, uncover for fifteen more, and rest ten minutes before cutting; to freeze, assemble and wrap unbaked.