BAKED PENNE

                                                                                              serves 4

I have never been a fan of casseroles or as we say in Minnesota “hot dishes”  I guess that’s because i didn’t grow up eating them. But, sometimes a good “casserole” to feed a hungry soccer team, for example, on the cheap and easy is what’s called for. Baked penne fits the bill!

1# penne rigate, a little under-cooked, and drained well

1# spicy Italian sausage  cooked  and crumbled

3 cups of your favorite red sauce

2 cups grated mozzarella divided

1 cup diced fontina ( freeze for 1/2 hour for easier chopping)

1 T  fresh chopped basil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked penne, sauce, sausage, basil and 1 cup mozzarella and 1 cup fontina. Mix until well combined.

Place pasta mixture in a rectangular baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil, add the rest of the cheese and bake for another 10-12 minutes until bubbly and slightly brown.