Baked Mostaccioli

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with olive oil.

2. Step 2

   Heat a large skillet over medium. Add olive oil, onion, and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add sausage to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart as you go, until cooked through, about 8 minutes.

3. Step 3

   Add garlic, tomato paste, oregano, crushed red pepper, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper and stir to combine. Add crushed tomatoes and ¼ cup basil. Stir and simmer on low heat for at least 10 minutes.

4. Step 4

   Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente. In a medium bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, egg, ½ cup Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper and remaining ¼ cup basil. Set aside.

5. Step 5

   When the pasta is al dente, strain and add to the meat mixture and stir to combine. Spoon half of the pasta mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread half of the cheese mixture evenly on top of the pasta. Then spread the remaining pasta mixture on top. Finally, top the pasta with large scoops of the remaining cheese mixture. (Do not spread the cheese; you want to leave plenty of pasta exposed so that it crisps in the oven.) Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan on top of the dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese and pasta are crisped to your liking. Remove from the oven and serve warm.