Baked Pasta

I tried a new recipe for dinner tonight adapted from a recipe for Baked Cavatelli in my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. Instead of cavatelli, I used penne pasta and instead of sliced Italian sausage links, ground sausage. This recipe is quick and easy and very tasty. My boys loved it...even Brody! It's a great alternative to our usual spaghetti.

Baked Pasta

2 1/2 c dried penne pasta
12 oz uncooked ground sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp minced garlic
1 26-oz jar pasta sauce
1 c mozzarella cheese
1/4 tsp black pepper

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, set aside.
2. In a large skillet cook the sausage, onion, and garlic until the sausage is brown. Remove from skillet and drain.
3. In a large bowl stir together pasta sauce, 3/4 c of the mozzarella cheese, and the pepper. Add the cooked pasta and the sausage mixture. Stir to combine and spoon into a 2-qt casserole dish.
4. Bake, covered, 25 to 30 min at 375 degrees. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 1/4 c mozzarella cheese. Bake about five more minutes or until cheese is melted.