Baked ziti with turkey sausage
Ingredients
Uncooked turkey sausage: ¾ pound(s), spicy-variety, casings removed
Onion: 1 medium, chopped
Green bell pepper: 1 medium, chopped
Canned diced tomatoes: 28 oz
Frozen green peas: 10 oz, thawed
Tomato paste: 2 Tbsp
Dried oregano: 1 tsp
Dried basil: 1 tsp
Dried thyme: ½ tsp
Fennel seeds: ½ tsp
Table salt: ½ tsp, or to taste: Black pepper: ½ tsp, freshly ground
Uncooked whole wheat pasta: 12 oz, ziti, cooked according to package directions:
Shredded part skim mozzarella cheese 6 oz
Instructions
- Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Crumble the sausage meat into a large saucepan and brown over medium heat, stirring often, about 4 minutes.
- Drain off any fat, then add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the tomatoes, peas, tomato paste, oregano, basil, thyme, fennel seeds, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook uncovered 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and half the cheese. Spread evenly into a 9- X 13-inch baking pan. Top evenly with the remaining cheese.
- Bake until the cheese has melted and the casserole is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes at room temperature before slicing into 8 pieces. Yields 1 piece per serving.