Baked Ziti With Pumpkin & Sausage

I found this recipe on the www.verybestbaking.com website. Sounds different..."Providing wholesome flavors and nutritious benefits, this baked Ziti, with a healthy twist, includes pumpkin, spinach and chicken sausage. It's sure to delight your family's taste buds and have them asking for seconds!"

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 1 4 quart dish

Ingredients

• 4  cups  whole wheat ziti (or regular)
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 2  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1  pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 (12 ounce) can fat-free evaporated milk
• 4  links  chicken sausage, Italian-seasoned and fully cooked, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 4  cups  Baby Spinach, pre-washed
• 1  cup part-skim mozzarella cheese (shredded, or 2% milk reduced-fat mozzarella cheese)
• 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Directions

1. PREHEAT oven to 425º F. Spray 4-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. PREPARE pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water and set aside for later use. Drain pasta; return to cooking pot.
3. MEANWHILE, COMBINE pumpkin, flour, garlic powder, salt, nutmeg and cayenne pepper in medium skillet over medium heat. Slowly add evaporated milk, stirring until smooth. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken slightly. Pour over pasta in pot. Add sausage and reserved pasta cooking water; stir well.
4. SPREAD half of the pasta mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with spinach. Cover with remaining pasta mixture. Lightly spray piece of foil with nonstick cooking spray. Cover ziti with foil, greased-side-down.
5. BAKE for 20 minutes or until heated through. Combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses in small bowl. Remove foil; sprinkle with cheese mixture. Bake, uncovered, for an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.