Baked Ziti And Italian Sausage

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 8 ounces ziti pasta, uncooked
• 1 lb italian sausage (mild or hot, your choice)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated and divided
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 (16 ounce) carton ricotta cheese (may use small-curd cottage cheese instead)
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (4 oz)
• paprika

Recipe

• 1 cook the ziti according to the package directions. drain well and set aside.
• 2 cook the sausage links in oil in a large skillet for 15 minutes or until browned over medium heat; reduce heat if necessary to keep them from burning. drain well on paper towels. slice the sausage diagonally and set aside.
• 3 melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add the flour, stirring until smooth. cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. gradually add the milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thickened and bubbly. stir in 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. add the ziti; stir well, and set aside.
• 4 combine the remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, ricotta (or cottage cheese), egg, parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper. stir well.
• 5 place half of the macaroni mixture in a lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish. top with the ricotta cheese mixture and half of the sausage. top with the remaining ziti mixture and sausages. sprinkle with the mozzarella and paprika.
• 6 cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.