Sausage and Penne Bake

[jenab]

This is from the 125 Best Toaster Oven Recipes by Linda Stephen. I usually end up doing them in the oven however the few I've done in the toaster oven have come out well.



2 cups uncooked penne
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion chopped
2 garlic cloves finely chopped
8 ounze sweet Italian sausage cut into 1 inch pieces
1 24 ounce jar of tomato pasta sauce. I used Primo Thick and Zesty original pasta sauce
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or pesto
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1. preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2. In a large saucepan, cook penne in boiling salted water until just tender. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup water.
3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally for 8 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in pasta sauce, mozzarella, basil, cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Transfer to a lightly greased 8 cup (2 liter) baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake in oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbling.


I didn't make any substitutions and found it an easy and tasty recipe. The only issue was my sausage was far to bland so I will either try another brand or add Italian season..