Baked Pasta with Spinach and Sausage

This is so delicious! I am not usually a huge fan of sausage but I am in love with this dish. It is such a great meal to prepare when you are having dinner guests because you can prepare it in advance and put in the oven about 30 minutes before you are ready to eat, not to mention it will really impress the guests...I was pretty impressed myself!


Baked Pasta with Spinach and Sausage

12 oz smoked turkey or chicken sausage, sliced lengthwise and cut into 1/4 in. pieces
1 T. olive oil
1 medium red onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1/2 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. dried basil
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 lb. rigatoni
10 oz fresh baby spinach (can use 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
8 oz. mozzarella - 4 oz. cut in 1/2 in. cubes, 4 oz. shredded
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and saute onion until transluscent. Stir in the garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute.
• Stir in tomatoes, oregano, and basil; let simmer for 10 minutes. Add cream and cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees and boil pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. If you are using fresh spinach, add it to the boiling pasta at the last minute of cooking and cook until wilted. Drain and return to the pot.
• Add the tomato sauce, sausage, spinach, and cubed mozzarella to the pasta and toss to coat.
• Pour this into one lightly greased 9x13 in. baking dish, or two 8x8 in. dishes, and top with grated mozzarella and parmesan. Bake until browned and edges are crisp, 20-30 minutes.