Step 1

Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2

In the prepared dish, whisk together the water, marinara sauce, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and ground black pepper to taste. Add the uncooked pasta and the sliced sausage. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients and evenly distribute the pasta and sausage throughout the pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.

Step 3

Uncover; stir gently with a fork. At this point, you should check the pasta to make sure that it is al dente (tender, but with a firm bite). If the pasta is still too hard, cover the dish and return it to the oven until the pasta is al dente. The move on to the next step.

Step 4

Sprinkle the cheese over top. Transfer the uncovered dish to the broiler for about 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese melts and starts to brown on top. Keep a close eye on the dish the entire time since the cheese can burn quickly under the broiler.

Step 5

Garnish with chopped fresh herbs, if desired. Serve immediately.