SAUSAGE BAKED PENNE

Sausage Baked Penne image

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Entree

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 box (16 oz) penne pasta
1 lb bulk Italian pork sausage
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 cups tomato pasta sauce
8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch slices
Small fresh basil leaves, if desired

Steps:

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
Meanwhile, heat 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage; cook 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink. Drain.
In large bowl, stir together sausage, ricotta cheese, garlic, dried basil, pepper flakes, salt, pepper and 2 cups of the pasta sauce. Add cooked pasta; toss gently. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Top with remaining 2 cups pasta sauce. Arrange mozzarella cheese slices over sauce.
Bake uncovered 35 to 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 590, Carbohydrate 57 g, Fat 2, Fiber 4 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 990 mg