Ziti - Bakes with Pumpkin and Sausage

By á-49759

Ingredients

• 4 cups (12 oz) regular or whole wheat ziti
• 1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin
• 2 tbsp all purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground nutneg
• pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated fat free milk
• 4 links (12 oz) fully cooked Italian seasoned chicken sausage cut into 1/4" slices
• 1 pkg (6 oz)(about 4 cups) washed baby spinach
• 1 cup (4 oz) shredded part-skim or 2% milk reduced fat mozzarella cheese
• 1/1 cup (1.5 oz) shredded Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray 4 qt baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water and set aside. Drain pasta; return to cooking pot.

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.

Spread half of the pasta mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with spinach. Cover with remaining pasta mixture.

Lightly spray piece of foil with cooking spray. Cover ziti with foil greased side down.

Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through. Combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheese in small bowl. Remove foil; sprinkle with cheese mixture.

Bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.