Baked Ziti with Johnsonville Italian Sausage

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse in cold water, cover and set aside.
2. Position a rack in the upper third of an oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
3. In a 12-inch nonstick fry pan. Heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add decased sausage and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink and cooked through about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl.
4. Using the same pan, heat 4 teaspoons of the olive oil. Add the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and the edges are starting to brown, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to the bowl with the sausage.
5. Set the same pan over medium heat and warm the remaining 2 teaspoon olive oil. Add the onion and cook until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine, increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring to scrape up any brown bits. Cook until the liquid is almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add the can of crushed tomatoes and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.
6. In the bowl with the eggplant and sausage, add the cooked pasta, basil, olives, 2 cups of the mozzarella and the tomato sauce and mix to combine; season with salt and pepper.
7. Transfer this mixture to a 9x13" lightly oiled baking dish (or the oven proof 12 inch fry pan). Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella and the parmesan cheese on top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and broil for 2-4 minutes, keeping a close eye, until the cheese is lightly golden.

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Reviews (2)

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alisa510

May. 17, 2013

"I tried this recipe and with the recommended amount of red wine, the sauce ended up tasting exactly like red wine. I had to dilute it with water and then when that didn't work, added in cheese to chan..." See morege the taste and texture. I wouldn't make this again."

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Deb C

Mar. 5, 2013

"If you love Mediterranean flavors, you will love this dish. I followed the recipe with the exception of using dried basil instead of the fresh. I also didn’t bother with broiling the cheese at the e..." See morend because my results when I use a broiler are usually disastrous. We enjoyed this dish and thought it was very good."