Baked Ziti (with Sausage)

1 lb ziti pasta

1 lb FRESH mozzerella cheese - 1/2 cut into 1/2 inch cubes, other 1/2 thinly sliced

3/4 cup parmesan cheese, divided

1/2 tsp pepper Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

2 TBS olive oil

1 lb italian sausage

1/4 med onion diced

3 cloves garlic

3 1/2 cups whole peeled canned tomatoes in puree if you can find it at store (which is 1 28 oz can whole peeled canned tomatoes that you chop roughly)

Sprig of fresh thyme (I just did 3/4 tsp thyme spice)

Sprig of fresh basil (I just did 3/4 tsp basil spice)

2 tsp Kosher salt

-DIRECTIONS Cook pasta according to package directions. In the meantime, heat oil and brown sausage. Add garlic, onion, chopped canned tomatoes with juices, thyme and basil. Toss cooked pasta with tomato sauce, add pepper, 1/2 of parmesan, the cubed mozzerella and transfer to a greased 9x13 dish. Cover top with other 1/2 of parmesan cheese and thinly sliced mozzerella. Bake at 400 for 30 min.