Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

Ingredients:

1 - 19 oz. package of Sweet Italian Sausage links, casing removed

12 oz. ziti pasta

1 medium onion, chopped

½ C. red wine

¼ C. fresh basil, chopped

2½ C mozzarella cheese, divided

½ C. Parmesan cheese, shredded

3 T. olive oil, divided

1 small eggplant, cut into ½-inch cubes

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 - 28 oz. can crushed plum tomatoes

⅓ C. Kalamata olives, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
2. In a nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add sausage, crumble and cook until no longer pink and lightly browned.
4. Drain and transfer into a large mixing bowl.
5. Meanwhile prepare ziti according to package directions.  Drain and rinse with cold water, cover and set aside.
6. Using the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
7. Add eggplant and cook until tender and lightly browned.  
8. Transfer to bowl with sausage. 
9. Using the same skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic, sauté until tender.
10. Pour wine into skillet, increase heat to medium-high and continue to stir until most of the liquid has evaporated.
11. Add tomatoes and reduce heat to medium.
12. Simmer for 10 minutes.
13. In the bowl with the sausage mixture, add cooked pasta, basil, olives, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, salt and pepper.
14. Stir to combine ingredients.
15. Transfer mixture to a greased 3-quart baking dish.
16. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
17. Cover and bake 25-30 minutes.
18. Uncover and bake for 5 minutes longer, or until lightly browned.
19. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.