Lean Cheesy Chicken Sausage Ziti

Submitted by deinemuse

"I got this from a lasagna recipe from self magazine and modified it a bit. This can be done with lasagna and can be done without the meat, or modified with ground chicken or turkey."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 15mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• olive oil flavored cooking spray
• 1⁄2 cup onion, chopped
• 1 lb chicken sausage
• 24 ounces tomato sauce
• 3 tablespoons italian seasoning
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 6 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 4 cups fat-free ricotta cheese
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 16 ounces whole wheat rigatoni
• 1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F
2. Spray a medium-sized nonstick skillet with cooking spray.
3. Sauté onion for 2 minutes.
4. Remove Sausage from casing, chop into small pieces and cook an additional 5 to 7 minutes or until done.
5. Add tomato sauce, all seasonings and simmer 2 minutes.
6. Remove pan from heat.
7. In a bowl, combine spinach, ricotta, and nutmeg.
8. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
9. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
10. Coat a 9" x 13" baking pan with cooking spray.
11. Place a layer of pastra on the bottom of the pan.
12. Spread a layer of ricotta mixture, then meat mixture, then a sprinkle mozzarella.
13. Repeat layers, ending with mozzarella.
14. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese bubbles.