Ace's Sausage, Mozzarella, Broccolini and Penne Pasta

Submitted by Adam from CT

"A different take on penne with broccoli rabe and sausage. I came up with this for my wife, who doesn't like the bitterness of broccoli rabe."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Yields: 4 pasta dishes
• Serves: 4-5

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄2 large onion (chopped)
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (unless you have fresh available)
• 2 garlic cloves (chopped)
• 3⁄4 lb hot Italian sausage, casing removed (mild or sweet is ok too)
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole canned tomatoes
• 1 lb penne pasta
• 1 bunch Broccolini (carried at most supermarkets, broccoli can be sub)
• 1⁄2 lb fresh mozzarella cheese (packaged can be used but fresh makes this meal that much better)
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese (grated)

directions

1. Turn oven to 400 degrees and boil enough water to cook pasta.
2. In large skillet over medium heat sweat the onions till translucent (appx 8 mins)-lower heat if browning -- just trying to sweat not brown.
3. Add sausage & cook for 4-5 mins over med high heat breaking into smaller pieces.
4. Add garlic and cook for another 4-5 mins until sausage is browned.
5. After sausage is browned add flour and stir into mixture and cook for 1 minute.
6. Add tom and turn heat to med-high cooking until the tomatoes break down, approx 7-8 minutes.
7. While tomatoes are cooking add pasta to boiling water and cook to half the package suggestion.
8. Remove pasta and add broccolini t boiling water, cook for 20 seconds and remove from water.
9. Pour the water out of the pot and add the broccolini and pasta.
10. Cover the pasta with the sausage tomato mixture, stiring until mixed well.
11. Spray cassarole/baking dish with non stick spray and transfer the pasta mixture to dish.
12. Slice mozzarella inton 1/4 inch slices and place on top of pasta then spread grated parmesan all over.
13. Cover with foil and baked for 10 minutes.
14. Remove foil and bank for 5 more mins till cheese is melted.