Best Ziti Ever with Sausage

Ingredients

• 1 , 16 ounce
• 1 pound mild Italian sausage , casings removed
• 2 , 24 ounce
• 1.5 teaspoons dried basil , divided
• 12 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning , divided
• 1 dash salt and pepper
• 1 pound mozzarella cheese , shredded

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

2. 2

   Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat pasta sauce with 1 teaspoon basil until bubbling. In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

3. 3

   Spread bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with sauce. Layer 1/2 of the ziti, 1/2, the sausage, 1/2 of the ricotta, and 1/2 the mozzarella. Spoon half of the sauce over top. Repeat layers. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 teaspoons basil and Italian seasoning.

4. 4

   Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.