Spicy Baked Rigatoni

Lazy Chef 2's Note:

Another from Parade Magazine...You can find many good brands of prepared tomato sauce in supermarkets. Fresh tomatoes and basil add flavor, and the sausage and red pepper bring on the heat.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 sweet and hot Italian sausage , casings removed
• 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
• 2 cups of your favorite prepared marinara sauce
• 2 medium ripe tomatoes , diced
• ½ cup fresh basil leaf , torn coarsely
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
• 12 ounces mozzarella cheese (make 6 slices and dice the remainder)
• salt & freshly ground black pepper , to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F Lightly oil a 9x13x2–inch baking dish.
2. Heat the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add the sausages and cook, breaking them up into clumps, until browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a large bowl.
3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 12 minutes. Drain well and add to the sausages along with the marinara sauce, tomatoes, basil, oregano, pepper flakes, diced mozzarella, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and cover the top with the mozzarella slices.
4. Bake until the cheese is melted and the pasta is heated through, about 20 minutes.