Baked PASTA with SPICY TOMATO and SAUSAGE SAUCE


 * http://www.nhregister.com/article/NH/20121031/NEWS/310319976

Ingredients

 * 1 pound hot Italian sausage, casing removed
 * 1 onion, finely chopped
 * 3 garlic cloves, minced
 * 2 26-ounce jars favorite marinara sauce
 * Salt and freshly ground black pepper
 * 6 tablespoons favorite homemade or store-bought basil pesto
 * 1 pound penne pasta
 * 1/2 pound smoked Gouda or mozzarella, cut into small dice
 * 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
 * 6 ounce bag baby spinach leaves

Directions

 * 1) Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add sausage meat. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, for about 5 minutes, until no pinkness remains. Add onion and saute another 5 minutes until softened, mixing around to cook evenly. Add garlic and cook another minute. Add tomato sauce and simmer on medium heat another 10 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken. Add pesto, salt and pepper, and stir. Taste for seasoning. Reserve.
 * 2) Meanwhile, add salt to large pot of boiling water. Add pasta and cook over high heat until al dente. Drain well.
 * 3) Preheat oven to 375. Oil a 9- by 13-inch baking dish, and spoon a thin layer of sauce over the bottom of the pan.
 * 4) In a large bowl, combine pasta with the remaining sauce, cubed smoked cheese, ½ cup Parmesan cheese and spinach leaves, mixing well. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
 * 5) Bake for about 30 minutes or until casserole begins to bubble and cheese browns.

Makes 6-8 servings.