Baked Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Cheese

Ingredients

1  (1-pound) package uncooked ziti (short tube-shaped pasta)

1  pound  hot turkey Italian sausage links

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

Cooking spray

1  cup  (4 ounces) shredded fresh mozzarella cheese

1  cup  (4 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

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. Top with half of mozzarella and half of Parmesan. Repeat layers. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until bubbly.