Ingredients

The following ingredients have 9 Servings
  • 13 ounces whole wheat penne pasta
  • 4 links pre-cooked Italian chicken sausage (cut into 1/2-inch semi-circles)
  • 1 1/3 cups low fat (2%) cottage cheese
  • 2 3/4 cups marinara sauce ((your favorite kind), divided)
  • 1 whole roasted red pepper (chopped)
  • 3/4 cup grated part-skim mozzarella cheese (divided)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
  • 5 basil leaves (thinly sliced)

Instruction

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and salt well. Add the penne pasta and cook 2 minutes less than what is stated on the package directions (it will be cooking further when baked). Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Lightly coat with cooking spray. Add the sausages and cook until browned, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Place the cottage cheese in a food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Add 1/4 cup marinara sauce to the cottage cheese and stir to combine. Stir in the pasta, sausages and roasted red peppers. Stir until the ingredients are coated with the sauce.
  • Coat a 7 x 11-inch baking dish (see note below) with cooking spray. Spread 3/4 cup marinara sauce along the bottom. Spread half of the pasta mixture over the marinara sauce, arranging it evenly over the bottom of the dish.
  • Top the pasta with 1 cup marinara sauce, half of the mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and all of the basil.
  • Repeat the layer with the remaining pasta, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
  • Cover with foil and bake until bubbling, about 50 minutes.
  • Uncover and bake for additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to brown. Serve.