Baked Penne with Sausage, Spinach & Red Bell Peppers

From: The Family Flavor 

Baked Penne with Sausage, Spinach & Red Bell Peppers

"Can I tell you what this is perfect for? it is the perfect dish to bring to a family with a brand new baby. It can feed a big group, it holds up as leftovers and it is a full meal in one pan. Meaty Italian sausage, tangy tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, bright green spinach and loads of melty, stretchy mozzarella. Come on! What new mama and her accompanying hungry family wouldn't love that?" 
- excerpt from The Family Flavor 

Yields 8 servings

Cook time: 45 minutes (first time making it)

1 pound penne pasta

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

5 links mild italian sausage, about 16 oz

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 yellow onion, diced

1 teaspoon losher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

1 teaspoon dred italian seasoning blend

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups heavy cream

 1& 1/2 cups shredded parmesan cheese

4 roma tomatoes, chopped

1 cup baby spinach leaves

4 cups shredded mozarella cheese, divided

Preheat over to 450 degrees F.

Set a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Cook pasta until soft on the outside, but not cooked all the way through. Drain, pour back into pot and toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Set aside, stirring occasionally while preparing the other ingredients.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage links for 15 minutes, flipping once, until sausage is cooked through. Once cool enough to handle, slice sausage into 1/2 inch thick slices and set aside.

In the same skillet over medium-high heat, add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, red bell pepper, onion, salt, pepper, and italian seasoning. Saute until veggies are softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 1 additional minute, reduce heat to medium and stir in heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, until the cream sauce has thickened. 

In the pasta pot, combine pasta, sausage, tomatoes, spinach, and 3 cups of mozzarella. Stir well to combine. pur in cream sauce. Toss gently. Pour mixture into a 9X13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle reserved 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for 20 minutes, until cheese is browned and pasta is cooked through. 

**Note from Tayler: this dish was soo yummy! i dont think kinz would like it because it is loaded with cheese, but cory and i loved it! obviously i didnt add as many tomatoes (because we dislike them) and i think next time i will add more bell peppers. and probably half it since there is only 2 of us. but seriously, make this soon!