Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
- 1 pound mild italian sausage
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 14.5oz cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup gouda cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
- cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, according to package directions. meanwhile, cook italian sausage and diced onion in a skillet over medium heat until sausage is browned and onion is softened. add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- add crushed tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the sausage mixture and stir to combine. reduce heat to a simmer and let sauce reduce by about one third or until thickened to desired consistency. add parmesan cheese and heavy whipping cream and stir to combine.
- combine cooked pasta and sauce. spoon half the mixture to the bottom of a 9″x13″ baking dish (or freezer pan) or a large oven-safe skillet. nestle spoonfuls of ricotta cheese into the pasta and then sprinkle with shredded gouda.
- layer the rest of the pasta and sauce. then top with mozzarella and monterey jack cheeses. if you have a little parmesan cheese leftover from the sauce, add that on top too!
- bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly! serve with some of your favorite bread, and enjoy!
- if freezing, follow the recipe through step 4, making sure to layer the ingredients in a freezer-safe baking dish. let cool to room temperature and cover with foil before freezing.
- to bake: bake it straight from frozen in a 400 degree oven for about 1.5 hours or until heated through, taking off the foil for the last 20 minutes; or you can reduce the cooking time by letting it thaw in your fridge overnight and baking at 400 for about 30 minutes, or until heated through, with the foil off.*
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: dinner