Recipe: Olive Garden Sausage and Peppers Ziti Marinara

SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS ZITI MARINARA

1 1/2 lbs sweet or hot Italian sausages links
1 1/3 cups green bell pepper, seeded & cut into 1x1/4-inch strips
1 (28 oz) can Italian-style or plum tomatoes, including liquid
1 (10 3/4 oz) can tomato puree
1 tsp garlic cloves, chopped finely
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup basil, fresh, chopped finely, firmly packed
Salt and pepper (to taste)
1 lb ziti or penne pasta, cooked according to package directions
Fresh parsley, chopped
Parmesan cheese, grated

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake sausage links in oven for 20 minutes or until completely cooked. Cut sausages in half lengthwise; then cut into 1/2" slices. Result will be semi-circles of sausage. Set aside.

Saute pepper slices in olive oil until their crispness is lost, but not soft.

Chop tomatoes or use a food processor on "pulse"; do not puree tomatoes.

Combine chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, garlic, olive oil and fresh basil in sauce pan. Bring to a simmer. Add sausage pieces and stir well.

Transfer cooked, drained pasta to large serving platter. Top with sausage and pepper marinara mixture.

Garnish with parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

Makes 4 servings
Source: Olive Garden