Sausage Casserole

This is easily one of my favourite dishes and can be made quickly when you're in a pinch

Penne and Sausage Casserole

1 box of penne

Olive oil

3 garlic cloves, crushed or minced

Pasato tomato purée (or brand of your choice - they come in glass bottles)

1 can diced tomatoes

1 package of Spicy Italian Sausage (pre ground ideally)

1 handful basil, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

2 handfuls spinach

1 bag of mozarella

Cheddar, cubed

Preheat oven to 350. 

So you start off by sautéing the garlic in a large saucepan, however do not let it brown as that kills off the yummy aromatic garlic taste. Do this on medium heat so as not to burn it. Add the diced tomatoes and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add half of the bottle of puréed tomatoes and let simmer for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (I hate burned gunk at the bottom of my pot!). Throw in a heaping handful of minced basil and spinach and salt and pepper, and again, let the sauce simmer, really for however you like. The longer the simmer the better the taste! Make sure however, the spinach is wilted.

Meanwhile, brown all of the sausage in a frying pan. Drain the oily juices and put it in the simmering sauce.

In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook the penne very al dente as it will be going in the oven.

In a 9x13 pyrex dish, spread a layer of the tomato sauce.

Pour the remaining sauce in the strained pasta, throw in the cubed cheddar and mix it all up. 

Make a layer of pasta, then a layer of mozzarella, and repeat until the final layer is mozzarella.

Put in the oven, and cook until bubbling and brown on top - typically 45 minutes.

This is an absolute favourite of mine and takes only about an hour to make. 

Bon appetit!