Sausage Spinach Pasta Bake

This family favorite is also a great dish to make for a crowd or share at a pot luck

• 16 oz pasta of choice – penne, ziti, or rigatoni work well

• 1 lb. Italian sausage

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• 3 Tbsp diced onion

• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

• ½ Tbsp Italian Seasoning

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 ½ cup fresh spinach, chopped

• ½ cup goat cheese

• ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 jar (24 oz.) pasta sauce – I prefer a chunky variety

Directions

1. Cook pasta, drain and set aside.

2. In a large skillet brown Italian sausage.  Add olive oil, diced onion and minced garlic.  Saute a few minutes.

3. Chop spinach.

4. Put pasta into covered baking dish or crock pot.  Make sure you spray with PAM first.

5. Add Italian seasoning, salt, sausage mixture, spinach and the cheeses.  Gently stir to blend

6. Add pasta sauce.  Gently stir to combine.

7. Bake in covered dish at 350^o for 30 to 40 minutes; or cook in crock pot on low for 45 to 60 minutes.

Notes: 

*This recipe serves approximately 8 people (or 6 if some of them are competitive athletes!) and is easy to increase proportionally if you need a larger amount.

* If it seems too dry, add more pasta sauce or canned diced tomatoes

*This recipe is easy to make the day ahead of time and refrigerate overnight unbaked.  Then let come to room temperature a couple of hours before cooking in oven or crock pot.  If the mixture is still cold prior to cooking, it may take longer.

Sausage Spinach Pasta Bake