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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2021 21 INGREDIENTS • 1-pound ziti or penne pasta • Salt and pepper • Olive oil • 1-pound sweet or spicy bulk Italian sausage (can use links, but remove casings) • 1 yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup) • 1 green bell pepper, chopped • 3 or 4 garlic cloves, chopped (about 1 Tablespoon) • 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning • 1/2 Teaspoon Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes • 1 jar (24-32 ounce) marinara sauce, either homemade or purchased • 8 ounces shredded Italian cheese blend (2 cups) • 1/2 Cup shredded Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bring 4 to 6 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of salt for every 2 quarts of water. The water should taste like the ocean. Add the pasta, stir gently. Cook according to package directions. The pasta should be al dente, cooked but still a little firm to the bite, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, measure and reserve about a cup of the water, and drain the pasta in a colander set in the sink. While the water is coming to a boil, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium- high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the meat and break up any large chunks. Cook until browned, about 4 minutes. When the meat is browned add the onion and bell pepper, stirring to mix completely. Cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and the pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Cook an additional minute. Add the marinara sauce, stir to mix completely. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Taste, add salt and pepper to taste and adjust seasonings if desired. Remove from heat. Gently stir in half the shredded cheese and the cooked pasta to the sauce. Stir in ½ to one cup of the reserved pasta water to thin the mixture a bit (the starch in the water will act as a binder). Sprinkle the remaining Italian and Parmesan cheeses over the top. Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, the cheese is melted and the top is lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for about 5 minutes before serving. Baked Pasta with Sausage Baked Pasta with Sausage By Irene Welker Baked pasta has to be one of the great Italian-American comfort foods. It is a versatile dish that can be served for weeknight family dinner and it's special enough to serve to company. It is a dish that can be prepped ahead and best of all, leftovers can be reheated for an encore meal. Serves 8. Total time about 50 minutes. DIRECTIONS

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