Pasta Rustica

Submitted by belkathy

"This is an altered Williams-Sonoma casserole recipe that includes ziti, sausage, and three cheeses. Tastes great with a green salad and garlic bread."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 10mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb Italian sausage, crumbled
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1⁄4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomato puree (Puree reserved)
• 1 cup water
• salt
• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 2 cups low fat cottage cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or 2 cups Fontina cheese
• 1⁄2 cup grated parmesan cheese

directions

1. Cook and drain the pasta.
2. Brown the onions in the oil for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4. Break the sausage into small pieces and crumble over the onion.
5. Brown thoroughly, so no pink remains.
6. Add the herbs, pepper flakes, tomatoes, puree, and water.
7. Bring to a boil.
8. Reduce heat to med-low and simmer for 30 minutes, until thickened.
9. Do no not cover.
10. Taste and add salt as necessary.
11. Mix together the pasta, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and the sauce.
12. Spread into a greased casserole dish and top with Parmesan Bake in a 350 oven for 30 minutes.

Reviews

[daisygrl64]

This was so easy and really good. I used left over chops and some breakfast sausage that I had. Worked perfect. I love all the combination of cheese's in this casserole.

 

[tara portee]

I liked this very much. To cut calories I used Italian turkey sausage; I reduced the amount of pasta just a little (I like it nice and saucey) and increased the garlic. The cottage cheese gives it a Lasagna-ish quality , which in my book is a GOOD thing.

 

[*Parsley*]

We loved this! It's saucy and cheesey and loaded with flavor. I didn't have ziti, so I used rotini (corkscrew) pasta and it woked out just fine. My kids thought it tasted a lot like sausage pizza. Thanx for the recipe!