Kielbasa Pasta Casserole

As a full-time working mom I always rejoice when I have a recipe that is comforting and delicious up my sleeve.  Something that comes together easily and that everyone (hopefully) will eat in the family.   If I am lucky there will be left-overs for the following day as a snack, lunch or even another dinner - I am NOT afraid of left-overs!!!

I hope your family enjoys this delicious casserole as much as mine did.  Simple ingredients of sauce (homemade or from a jar...your choice), diced tomatoes, pasta, cheese, spices, a little seasoned bread crumbs and kielbasa are the characters that make up this dish. Of course adding mushrooms, black olives, green peppers or even some nicely sauteed onions would be lovely additions to this dish.  Go ahead and make it as simple or as colorful as you wish.

Kielbasa Pasta Casserole

(recipe from Just A Pinch Recipe Club)

Ingredients:

16 oz dry ziti pasta (I used gremelli)

1 lb kielbasa, sliced in 1 inch pieces

1 Tbsp oil

2-3 (14.5 oz) cans diced or stewed tomatoes

1 large jar tomatoe sauce

1 tsp oregano, dried

1/4 cup parsley, fresh ( I used 2 Tbsp dried)

1/2 tsp ground pepper

1/4 cup italian bread crumbs

8 - 12 oz. shredded cheese (I used a mixture of mozzerella and parm)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Boil large pot of salted water and cook pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente.  Drain pasta.

2. Cook sliced kielbasa over medium heat in oil until lightly browned - about 5 minutes.

3. In a large bowl combine pasta, cooked sausage, tomatoes, sauce and spices.  Mix well all together.  Pour into a 9x13 baking dish. 

4. Sprinkle bread crumbs over pasta mixture and then top with cheese.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove foil and bake for 10-15 minutes longer until cheese has melted and golden.

Yum! 

Serve with warm crusty bread, a salad and a smile on your face...all will be happy!

Happy Kielbasa Pasta Casserole Making!