Baked Ziti with Vegan Sausage
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Weekend Meals
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 4 cups organic marinara sauce
  • OR
  • 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin organic olive oil
  • 1 large organic yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves organic garlic, pressed or minced
  • 2 stalks organic celery, minced
  • 2 organic carrots, minced
  • 2 organic zucchini, minced
  • 28 ounce can organic crushed tomatoes with basil
  • 2-3 organic tomatoes, chopped
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 3-4 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped (divided use)
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. box ziti
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, torn or shredded into pieces
  • 12-ounce package (4 links) The Stallion, Italian Sausage by No Evil Foods, casings removed and sliced
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Instructions
  1. If you are super pressed for time, heat 4 cups of organic marinara sauce in a saucepan. However, if you have the time to make your own veggie-rich marinara in your slow cooker, begin by heating the olive oil, and sautéing the diced onion for 6-8 minutes over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute, followed by the celery, carrots, and zucchini, which should collectively cook for about another 10 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, chopped fresh tomatoes, white wine, and the optional fennel seeds and red pepper flakes. Cook for at least an hour on the stove top or simmer on low in a slow cooker for at least 4 hours. Taste and adjust seasoning with about half the chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.
  2. Spread half your raw ziti in a greased 9” x 13” Pyrex or ceramic baking dish, followed by half of the sausage, and half of the torn or shredded mozzarella.
  3. Pour on about half of your hot sauce and repeat.
  4. Add ½ teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Pour the salted hot water over the top, cover the baking dish with foil, and pop it into a 400-degree oven for an hour.
  5. After an hour, take off the foil and let it cook for another 10 minutes until all the water is absorbed and the pasta is tender. Bring it out of the oven and let it cool for at least 5 minutes before sprinkling it with a light dusting of grated parmesan and the rest of your chopped parsley.
  6. Please note: The cooking time below is if you have marinara sauce on hand (either your own or jarred). If making your own marinara, add the appropriate amount of time depending on whether you are simmering it on the stovetop (about an hour) or using a slow cooker (about 4 hours).
Notes
© 2018 Nancy Olah
All Rights Reserved
Recipe by Fool a Carnivore at https://foolacarnivore.com/baked-ziti-with-vegan-sausage/