Creamy Three-Cheese Baked Ziti with Sausage

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Step 1

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lightly spray a 4-quart baking dish with nonstick spray. In a bowl, mix together the mozzarella and Italian blend cheeses, then pop it in the fridge to keep it fresh while you cook.

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Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti until it’s just tender but still has a bit of bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and set aside.

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Step 3

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and break it up into small pieces as it cooks. Sprinkle in the baking soda, then toss in the onion and garlic. Keep stirring and breaking up any clumps until everything is browned and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.

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Step 4

Stir in the pasta sauce along with the olives, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, anchovy paste, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. If it looks a little dry, add up to 3 more tablespoons of oil. Let the sauce come to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer, stirring regularly, until it thickens up nicely, around 5 to 10 minutes. Take it off the heat and fold in the cooked ziti.

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Step 5

Now it’s time to assemble. Spread half of the sauced pasta in your baking dish, then sprinkle half of the cheese mixture over the top. Add the rest of the ziti on top, trying not to disturb the layers too much—it’s totally fine if some pasta peeks through; it’ll get deliciously browned while baking. Finish by sprinkling the remaining cheese and a good dusting of Parmesan over everything.

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Step 6

Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until it’s bubbling and golden on top. Let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving so it sets up nicely. Enjoy!