Cozy Cavatappi Pasta - BC Dairy

For BC dairy farmers

Health Professionals

School Milk

School or Educator

Equipment

large pot
cutting knife
large ovenproof skillet
stove
oven

Ingredients

2 hot or sweet Italian sausages, about 1/2 lb (250 g) in total
1 Tbsp (15 mL) butter
1 medium onion, diced
4 ripe plum tomatoes, cored, seeded and diced, or 14 oz (398 mL) can diced tomatoes
1 roasted red pepper, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch (1 cm) thin strips
12 oz (375 g) cavatappi or scoobi doo pasta, about 4 cups (1 L)
2 Tbsp (30 mL) all-purpose flour
1 Tsp (5 mL) dried oregano leaves
1/4 Tsp (1 mL) nutmeg
1 cup (250 mL) milk
1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup (125 mL) extra smooth ricotta
1 cup (250 mL) lightly packed, coarsely grated parmesan, divided
freshly ground pepper
salt to taste (optional)

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Using a sharp knife, slit each sausage down the side. Remove meat and place in a large ovenproof skillet. Add butter and onion. Set over medium heat. Stir to keep meat crumbly and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
Add tomatoes and red pepper. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes to soften tomatoes slightly.
Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions or until al dente, about 8 minutes.
Meanwhile, sprinkle flour, oregano, and nutmeg over sausage mixture. Stir to combine. Gradually stir in milk. Stir until mixture boils and thickens about 3 minutes. Stir in parsley, ricotta, and half the parmesan. Remove from heat.
Preheat broiler. Drain pasta very well. Stir into sausage mixture. Add pepper and salt if needed. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan. Broil for a couple of minutes or until top is bubbly.

Cozy cavatappi pasta