Name: Baked Pasta with Chicken Sausage
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: Coarse salt and ground pepper; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium red onion, chopped; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 cup vodka (optional); 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes with juice, lightly crushed with hands; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 pound rigatoni; 10 ounces baby spinach; 12 ounces smoked chicken sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4 inch thick; 6 ounces Fontina cheese; 4 ounces cut into 1/2-inch cubes and 2 ounces coarsely grated; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

This hearty pasta bake is a satisfying fall or winter meal, plus it serves a crowd.

Source: Everyday Food, December 2004

1 hour 15 mins 30 mins 8

Total Time Prep Servings

Ingredients

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic. Remove from heat; add vodka, if desired. Return to heat; cook until almost evaporated, 1 minute.
2. Stir in tomatoes and oregano; cook until tomatoes are falling apart, 10 to 15 minutes. Add cream; cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
3. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook pasta in the boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Add spinach, and cook just until wilted. Drain, and return contents to pot.
4. Add tomato sauce, sausage, and cubed Fontina to pot; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Divide evenly between two shallow 1 1/2-quart baking dishes.
5. Top with grated Fontina and Parmesan. Bake until browned and edges are crisp, 20 to 30 minutes.

Cook's Notes

The dish can be prepared through step 4 and frozen for up to 3 months; let cool completely before covering tightly with plastic wrap and placing in the freezer. Do not thaw before baking. Remove plastic wrap, and cover with foil. Cook until heated through, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. Remove foil, and continue with step 5.