1. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add Italian sausage to the pan and sauté until sausage is cooked through, breaking apart any large pieces with the back of a wooden spoon as it cooks.
3. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
4. Return the pan to the heat and add onion.
5. Sauté onion until the onion browns slightly. (If the pan is dry add a bit of olive oil.)
6. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, a minute or two.
7. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce.
8. Simmer for 1 hour or until the sauce becomes fragrant.
9. Stir in the Italian seasoning.
10. While the sauce is cooking combine ricotta, parmesan, and 2 teaspoons dried basil, set aside until ready to assemble the casserole.

Casserole Assembly

1. Heat oven to 350˚ F.
2. Spread half the tomato sauce across the bottom of the casserole dish.
3. Top with the ziti and Italian sausage.
4. Dot the ziti and Italian sausage with the ricotta mixture.
5. Distribute the mozzarella over the ricotta.
6. Spoon the remaining sauce over the mozzarella.
7. Bake for 40 minutes or until casserole is bubbling.
8. Remove from oven.
9. Distribute remaining mozzarella over the top and let the casserole to sit for 10 minutes or so before serving.