Baked Spinach With Sausage, Tomatoes And Penne

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 1/2 lbs hot italian sausages, casings removed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic (or to taste)
• 2 teaspoons dried red pepper flakes (optional or to taste)
• 3 -5 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 1 (10 ounce) can sliced mushrooms (lightly drained, do not squeeze out the moisture with you hands)
• 1/4 cup purchased pesto sauce
• 3 cups cooked penne pasta (measure 3 cups already cooked)
• 1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, drained
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed small
• 1 1/4 cups grated parmesan cheese, divided

Recipe

• 1 heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• 2 add in the sausage meat, onions and garlic with the dryed red pepper flakes (if using) saute for about 10-12 minutes breaking up the meat with a fork.
• 3 add in the tomatoes with juice and the canned mushrooms; simmer about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 4 add in the prepared pesto; stir to combine, season with salt and pepper.
• 5 set oven to 375 degrees.
• 6 grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• 7 in a large bowl combine the cooked pasta, spinach, mozzeralla and 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (can use less then 3/4 cup if desired).
• 8 add in the hot prepared tomato/sausage mixture; mix to combine.
• 9 transfer to prepared baking dish.
• 10 sprinkle with about 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese.
• 11 cover with foil and bake about 30 minutes.