Beautiful Baked Ziti Recipe

Beautiful Baked Ziti Recipe

  • 1 (19 ounce) package Johnsonville® Italian Sweet Sausage Links
  • 8 ounces penne pasta (about 2/12 cups), cooked and drained
  • 1 (26 ounce) jar pasta sauce
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (10 ounce) package frozen garlic bread, thawed & sliced into 9 slices
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 medium Roma tomatoes, cut into slices
  • 9 fresh whole basil leaves
  1. Cook sausage links according to package directions; drain, cut into 1/4-inch slices.
  2. In a large bowl, combine sausage slices, pasta, pasta sauce, water, basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, pepper and mix well.
  3. Spoon mixture into a greased 9-in. x 13-in. baking dish. Arrange garlic bread slices on top of meat mixture. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.
  4. In a small bowl, dip tomato slices into olive oil. Place one slice of tomato on each piece of bread.
  5. Bake uncovered, at 400F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil leaves. Serve.