Great Baked Penne Pasta W/ Italian Sausage

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

Ingredients

• Servings: 9
• 1 lb mild italian sausage (casings removed)
• 26 ounces tomato sauce with garlic, roasted (ragu)
• 28 ounces diced tomatoes (drain liquid)
• 1 large tomato
• 2 garlic cloves
• 8 large mushrooms
• 4 celery ribs
• 1 zucchini
• 1 onion (half if large onion)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic pepper seasoning (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried red chili, flaked
• 12 ounces dry penne pasta
• 2 -3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Recipe

• 1 with casings removed break down sausage links into small pieces until fully cooked. (remove from pan and set aside).
• 2 in large sauce pan add cut up celery, onion, zucchini and cook for about 2 minutes until soft.
• 3 add cut up mushrooms, tomato and 2 minced garlic cloves.
• 4 add jar of tomato sauce, drained can of diced tomatoes, oregano, fresh parsley, pepper,salt, italian seasoning, red chili flakes.
• 5 simmer for approximately 1 hour.
• 6 cook penne approximately 13 minutes or until cooked.
• 7 spray oven 13x9-inch baking dish with pam or oil.
• 8 add pasta to sauce and pour into greased pan.
• 9 cover pasta with cheese mixture (i used the whole bag) and then cover dish with foil making sure foil doesn't touch the cheese).
• 10 bake for 10 minutes with foil then remove and broil until cheese stars to slightly brown.
• 11 remove and let sit for at least 5 minutes before serving. enjoy!