1-Getting baked ziti right: involves a simple process that results in a bubbly, golden dish full of cheesy tomato sauce and Italian herbs. Follow these steps to create a meal that’s ideal for busy parents or community gatherings. Start by preheating your oven to 425°F and positioning the rack in the middle for even cooking.

2-First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 1 lb ziti noodles according to package directions, about 7 minutes, until just before al dente. Drain and set aside to keep the pasta from getting too soft during baking. Next, heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, crumble the 1½ lbs ground Italian sausage, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes.

3-Building the Sauce and Assembly: Remove the sausage from the pan and drain most of the fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Reduce the heat to low, add the 4 cloves minced garlic, and cook for about 1 minute until softened. Then, stir in the 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, 1½ teaspoons sugar, and ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, simmering uncovered for 10 minutes to develop the flavors.

4-Once the sauce is ready, mix in 1 cup heavy cream, ⅓ cup of the grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese, the cooked sausage, and ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil until everything combines nicely. Pour this sauce over the pasta and gently stir. For assembly, spoon half the mixture into a 9 by 13-inch baking dish, sprinkle with half the shredded mozzarella (1 cup) and half the remaining pecorino or Parmesan (1½ tablespoons), then add the rest of the pasta and top with the remaining cheese.

5-Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese melts and browns. Let it cool slightly and garnish with more basil before serving. This method, with its total time of roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes, makes baked ziti a go-to for travelers and working professionals.