Italian Baked Penne

Italian Baked Penne

1 package (16oz) penne rigate

1 package (1lb) ground mild Italian sausage

1 c. chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, crushed, or 1/2 garlic powder

1 package {8 oz} sliced fresh white mushrooms

1/4 t ground black pepper

1/2 t. Italian seasoning

1 can {14.5 oz} Italian style diced tomatoes

2 cans {14.5 oz} crushed tomatoes

3 c. fresh spinach, roughly chopped {optional}

8 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated

1 c. grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Bring water to boil in large pot of salted water.

Add penne pasta and cook until al dente, about

8 minutes. Drain and return to pan.

While pasta is cooking, heat large skillet over

medium-high heat. Add sausage, onion and garlic

and saute, until sausage is cooked through,

breaking up meat with back of spoon, about 10 minutes.

Add mushrooms and saute 3 minutes. Add pepper,

Italian seasoning and tomatoes to pan.

Simmer, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.

Combine sausage mixture to pasta, spinach, mozzarella

cheese and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.

Pour into 13 X 9 inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle

remaining 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese over.

Bake 15 minutes or until cheese is melted

and sauce is bubbling.