Easy Baked Ziti

As soon as the weather turns cool, I grab the cozy sweaters and start cooking the comfort food, like this Easy Baked Ziti recipe. It’s rich and gooey with its layers of pasta, homemade red sauce with Italian sausage, and blend of melty cheeses. It’s total comfort in a bowl. And the best part is that homemade Baked Ziti is not fussy at all. You don’t have to worry about delicate sheet pasta or tedious layering. It’s all the great flavors of lasagna in a freeform delicious casserole!

• 1 lb. Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot)
• 1 yellow onion
• 3 oz. tomato paste
• 1 28oz. can crushed tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning blend
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 lb. ziti
• 1/2 Tbsp salt (for pasta water)
• 15 oz. ricotta
• 1 cup Italian cheese blend
• 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1 handful chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)