Meaty Baked Ziti

Ingredients

• 24 ounces sweet Italian sausage, ground or links (casings removed)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 large onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic 
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire roasted diced tomatoes 
• 1 jar (24 ounces) pasta/marinara sauce 
• 16 ounces ziti pasta
• 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 8 ounces shredded Italian blend cheese, divided

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage in oil until it begins to brown.
3. Add the onion and garlic to the sausage and continue cooking until no longer pink.
4. Add in the diced tomatoes and pasta/marinara sauce and stir until combined. Set aside.
5. Meanwhile, cook the ziti according to package directions until al dente; drain.
6. Pour the sauce over the pasta, add the mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and half of the Italian cheese blend and stir until combined.
7. Spread the pasta mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
8. Top the pasta with the remaining shredded Italian cheese blend (and a little more parmesan if you so desire).
9. Bake, covered, in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
10. Uncover the baking dish, increase the heat to 375 degrees and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce and cheese are bubbly.
11. Serve hot with garlic bread or breadsticks and a salad or steamed veggies.

The original recipe for this incredibly easy and tasty pasta dish can be found here.