ITALIAN SAUSAGE PENNE CASSEROLE

I usually don’t finish off a dish like this in the oven because it never makes it that far. Once I’ve added the cheese to the pan, we pretty much gobble it up right then. 

But with this recipe, add some of the cheese to the pan with the sausage and pasta, mix it up, pour half into a casserole dish, layer with additional mozzarella cheese, add the rest of the meat and pasta and then top it off with the remaining cheese. Cover with foil and pop it in the oven.

Also great left over, this Italian sausage penne casserole tastes just as good the next day, if there’s any left. When I make my farfalle with sausage, I usually double the recipe so we have lots left over. This is the same, it’s that good.

Ingredients

• 1 16 oz box of Penne pasta
• 2 lb packages of Hot Italian Sausage, can use Sweet Italian instead
• 24 oz mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 tsp basil
• 1 1/2 tsp oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° and spray a 3 quart casserole dish with a non stick spray. Set aside. 
2. Remove sausage from casing and add to large skillet.
3. Crumble and cook over medium heat until done.
4. Drain grease from sausage, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease. Set sausage aside.
5. Spoon 2 tablespoons of grease back to pan, add chopped onions and garlic and saute until onions are translucent.
6. Pour diced tomatoes into skillet with the onions and garlic.
7. Add basil, oregano, salt and pepper.
8. Cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat.
9. Add Italian sausage back to skillet and bring to a boil.
10. Cover and simmer on low for approximately 20 - 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
11. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente.
12. Drain, rinse and place pasta back in pan.
13. Add sausage mixture to pan with pasta.
14. .......
15. .......
16. ........

full recipe : http://www.greatgrubdelicioustreats.com/italian-sausage-penne-casserole/