Step 1

Heat the oven. Heat the oven to 375°F.

Step 2

Cook the pasta. Heat a large stockpot of generously-salted water until boiling.  Add the pasta (around the same time that you begin sautéing any veggies, see below) and cook the pasta until it is 1 minute shy of al dente.  Drain the pasta completely and set aside.

Step 3

Sauté the sausage (if using).* Heat a large non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat.  Add the sausage and cook until browned, crumbling the sausage with a wooden spoon as you go.  Transfer the cooked sausage to a clean bowl and set aside.

Step 4

Sauté any veggies that need to be cooked.* Add the oil to the sauté pan, followed by any veggies that need to be pre-cooked (see note below).  Sauté the veggies for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 5

Combine. Return the cooked pasta to the large stockpot and add in the cooked sausage, cooked veggies, marinara sauce and any extra pizza toppings that you would like to bake into the casserole.  (I recommend reserving a small handful of toppings to sprinkle on top of the casserole, if you would like.)  Toss until evenly combined.

Step 6

Layer the casserole. In a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish, add half of the pasta mixture and spread it out in an even layer.  Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top of the pasta.  Then add the remaining pasta mixture in an even layer, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella evenly on top of the pasta, and finish with a sprinkle of your reserved pizza toppings.

Step 7

Bake. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden and the casserole is heated through.  Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack.

Step 8

Serve. Serve the baked ziti while it is nice and hot, garnished with your favorite toppings.