ONE-PAN BAKED PENNE WITH SAUSAGES

Here's an easy recipe for baked ziti. I used penne, but any tubular pasta will work. By adding extra liquid to the pan, you can cook the pasta right with the sauce, then put the pan in the oven to finish it off. I cooked sausages with the penne, so the meat and pasta are all in the same pan. All you need is a salad for a complete meal. This is very tasty and quite easy.


One-Pan Baked Penne with Sausages
Rating 9 out of 10

INGREDIENTS:
2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided use
1-1/2 lbs. Italian sweet sausage
3 cloves garlic, grated or chopped
1" slice onion
2 hot pepper pods, seeded (or 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper)
1 Tbsp. dry red wine
28 oz. can crushed tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano in thick puree (I used Red Pack)
1/4 tsp. crushed anise seed
14.5 oz. can low-sodium chicken broth
10 oz. penne (or other tubular pasta, such as ziti)
3/4 tsp. sea salt
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese

In a large heavy skillet, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium-high heat and add the sausage, cut into 5" links, browning them on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer sausages to a plate; keep warm. Wipe skillet with paper towel; add remaining olive oil to pan; reduce heat to medium; add garlic, onion, and pepper; cook 1 minute, stirring as needed. (You can remove the onion pieces when the pasta is done cooking, or you can just leave them in. You can also chop the onion if you prefer.) Add wine, tomatoes, anise seed and broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a low boil and cook for 15 minutes, stirring as needed. Add sausage to pot; cover; reduce heat to simmer; cook for 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 450F. Remove pan cover; raise heat to medium-high; add pasta, salt and Parmesan cheese; stir; cook for 15-18 minutes, uncovered, or till pasta tests done, stirring often to prevent bottom from burning. (Keep heat to a low boil.) Sprinkle Mozzarella over top of pasta and place in preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or till cheese is bubbling and browned. Serves 4