Baked Ziti

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Bring a large pot of water to a strong boil. Add the pasta and boil, uncovered, until the pasta is al dente—edible but still a little firm. Drain the pasta through a colander. Toss with a little olive oil so the pasta does not stick together while you make the sauce.

Pour 1 tablespoon or so of olive oil into a large sauté pan on medium-high to heat. When the oil is hot, add sausage and onions, cook until no longer pink. When sausage is cooked through, add marinara sauce, red pepper flakes and italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, lower heat and cook 5 minutes.

In a large bowl combine cooked pasta, sausage mixture and cottage cheese.

In greased 13×9 pan pour half of the ziti mixture. Top with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Pour rest of ziti on top and then top with rest of the cheeses.

Cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake additional 15 minutes.