Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Cook the Ziti noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it up into crumbles, until browned and cooked through. Remove any excess grease from the skillet.

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for a few minutes until fragrant.

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the heavy cream and crushed red pepper (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in half of the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.

In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked Ziti noodles. Pour half of the sauce over the noodles and spread it evenly.

Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.

Repeat the layers with the remaining Ziti noodles, sauce, and mozzarella cheese.

Sprinkle the remaining grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves or garnish with fresh Italian parsley if desired.

Allow the Baked Ziti to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!