Mom's Kitchen

Baked Ziti
	Ingredients 1-lb - bulk or link Italian sausage, chopped 1 - large onion, diced 1 - 28oz can chopped tomatoes, with liquid 1-lb - Ziti or other large cut pasta 1-lb - mozzarella, grated or chopped Olive oil or butter, as needed Salt and pepper, to taste Optional: 1T - garlic, minced 1 - bell peppers, cut in strips 1/2 lb - carrots, diced 1/2 cup - parmesan cheese, freshly grated	Instructions Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees Bring large pot of water to boil Distribute meat in large skillet over medium high heat and cook, undisturbed, until browned on one side, about 5 minutes. Stir, cook another 2 minutes undisturbed, then add the vegetables and garlic, if using. Lower heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft; add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Simmer while cooking pasta, stirring and seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Do not let sauce become too thick. Cook pasta until just tender; it should still be too hard to eat. Drain it (do not shake the colander; allow some water to cling to the noodles) and toss it with the sauce and half the mozzarella. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and spoon mixture into it. Top with remaining mozzarella and the Parmesan if using. Bake until top is browned and cheese bubbly, 20 to 30 minutes.
Originally poached by Joanne from a NY Times article (Nov 10, 2004) but amended somewhat. Serves 4-6