Baked Elbow Pasta with Herbed Ricotta and Turkey Sausage

Ingredients

• 1 box Dreamfields Elbows
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1-1/4 pounds Italian-style turkey sausage (casing removed)
• 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Herbed Ricotta (see recipe below)
• 3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper

  Herbed Ricotta Ingredients

• 1 container (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta
• 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pan.
2. Meanwhile, in large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add shallots and garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add sausage; cook, breaking into crumbles, about 5 minutes until sausage is browned and cooked through, stirring frequently.
3. Add tomatoes and red pepper flakes to skillet; cook 5 minutes to heat through, stirring occasionally.
4. Meanwhile, combine all Herbed Ricotta Ingredientsin a large bowl; mix well.
5. Combine pasta and Herbed Ricotta. Add sausage mixture. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Spoon into 3-quart casserole dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Top with mozzarella. Bake at 375*F for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Recipe Yield: Makes 9 servings.

Source: Dreamfields