Three Cheese Sausage Bake

This casserole is packed with lots of ingredients which makes it filling and tasty.

The unique thing about this casserole is it come with directions for making and freezing the casserole. Actually the directions call for making two casseroles, and you freeze one of them. I have not tried freezing the casserole, but I will include the directions if you want to try it.

Three Cheese Sausage Bake

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 14 ounces smoked turkey sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 medium zucchini, quartered and sliced
• 1 medium carrot, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 26 ounces spaghetti sauce
• 14 1/2 ounces stewed tomatoes
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 15 ounces carton ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 green onion, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in sausage and cook until browned.
4. Add in onions, zucchini, carrots and garlic. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until crisp tender, stirring occasionally.
5. In a medium bowl, combine the egg and ricotta cheese, set aside.
6.  Stir the spaghetti sauce and tomatoes into the skillet. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
7. In the prepared baking dish layer half of the noodles, half of the meat sauce half of the cheese and egg mixture, sprinkle with half of both cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Repeat layers and top with green onions.
8. Cover casserole and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover casserole and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:
If you want to make two casseroles, one to eat and one to freeze just double the recipe above and instead of layering half of the ingredients layer a fourth of the ingredients in two 9x13 baking dishes.

To Freeze Casserole
Once casserole is put together cover and freeze, do not bake in the oven. Casserole can be frozen for up to 2 months.

To Bake Frozen Casserole
Thaw casserole in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake covered at 350º F for 35-40 minutes or until heated through.

Serves: 8
Calories: 346
Total Fat: 15.8g
   Saturated: 7.7g
   Polyunsaturated: 0.3g
   Monounsaturated: 0.6g
   Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 61.9mg
Sodium: 813.5mg
Potassium: 55.5mg
Total Carbs: 29.2g
   Dietary Fiber: 2.7g
   Sugars: 8.2g
Protein: 21.9g
Vitamin A: 21.8%
Vitamin C: 11.4%
Calcium: 28.4%
Iron: 10.6%
*The nutritional information will vary slightly depending on the brands you use.
*Adapted from Taste of Home Dinner on a Dime Cookbook.