Cheesy Pasta Bake

Hands-on time: 39 minutes

Total time: 59 minutes

Ingredients:

• 14 ounces uncooked ziti or mostaccioli
• 12 ounces ground turkey breast
• 8 ounces sweet turkey Italian sausage, casings removed
• Cooking spray
• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 5 cups marinara sauce (I used Prego)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (I used 1/4 cup dried basil)
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced (I used shredded)
• 2 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
• 2 tbsp small basil leaves or torn basil

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cook pasta according to the package directions, omitting salt and fat, drain, and set aside.
3. Place turkey and sausage in a medium bowl, and mix well with hands to combine. Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add turkey mixture to pan; cook 8 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Remove from pan.
4. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and pepper, saute 4 minutes. Add garlic; saute for 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add wine, scraping the pan to loosen browned bits, and cook for 4 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates. Stir in pasta, turkey mixture, marinara sauce, and 1/2 cup basil. Spoon mixture into a 13x9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese melts and begins to brown. Remove from oven; spring with basil leaves and the remaining 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Serves: 8 (1 1/2 cup per serving)

Courtesy Cooking Light, March 2012