PENNE BAKE, WITH CHICKEN-SAUSAGE MEATBALLS

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Penne Bake, with Chicken-sausage Meatballs image

I love to make up new recipes all the time, sometimes daily! I thought this would be an excellent challenge for me, and I think it came out excellent!

Provided by love4culinary

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h15m

Yield 4-5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 -3 medium zucchini, trimmed & halved lengthwise (use more or less as desired. I like a little more, but some like a little less!)
1 sweet red pepper
7 ounces sweet corn (canned)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 lb sweet pork sausage, casings removed (if you would like to have more meat in your dish, you can add more; the same goes for the ground chi)
1/2 lb ground chicken
1 egg
Italian breadcrumbs (amount will depend on moisture in meat and size of egg)
1 chopped onion
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 lb grated Fontina cheese
1/2 lb penne pasta
1 teaspoon oregano (optional)
1 teaspoon minced garlic (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Grease 2 1/2 quart casserole.
  • Cut zucchini squash halves into thirds lengthwise, then crosswise into 1 1/2 inch pieces, and cut pepper into 1-2 inch thin/med sized slices.
  • (If the pepper is large, you may not want to add whole pepper… it depends on your taste).
  • After you have removed sausage from casing, put into a medium sized bowl.
  • Add the ground chicken and egg, and mix using your hands until the egg is completely mixed into the meat.
  • Take 1/3 of your onion and chop it very fine.
  • Add to meat/egg mixture.
  • Then add a small amount of breadcrumbs, and mix with hands again.
  • Continue adding a little bit of bread crumbs at a time, until it is the right consistency to form 1 inch round balls with meat.
  • Do not get carried away with the breadcrumbs, but do make sure to add enough so that they will stay in ball form.
  • Roll into balls.
  • Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat (If you find that there is not enough oil[especially if you add more meat], don’t be afraid to add a little more; Just don’t get carried away!).
  • Add meatballs; cook thoroughly.
  • Transfer to bowl using slotted spoon (to drain oil).
  • Chop up the rest of the onion (this time not very fine) and add to skillet; cook 5 minutes.
  • Add zucchini squash and sweet red pepper slices, minced garlic (if you choose) and corn.
  • Season and cook 8 minutes.
  • Return meat to skillet.
  • Add cream and oregano.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Add half the fontina and stir until melted.
  • Cook penne al dente, drain and return to pot.
  • Add sauce and toss through to coat.
  • Transfer to casserole and top with remaining fontina.
  • Bake until heated through, about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • ENJOY!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1010.6, Fat 66.1, SaturatedFat 32.1, Cholesterol 283.5, Sodium 909.1, Carbohydrate 64.7, Fiber 9.7, Sugar 7.5, Protein 43.4

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