Italian Sausage Noodle Bake

The original inspiration for this is a recipe I found on the Food Network. But I have modified it so much through several renditions that I'm just calling it my own. :)

1/2 lb ground chicken or turkey (I used turkey - cuz that's what was in the freezer)

1/2 lb Italian sausage (I used chicken Italian sausage from Costco - a new fave)

Olive Oil

3-4 cloves garlic - chopped

1 Onion - chopped

2 TBSP Italian Seasoning

1 TBSP dried parsley

Salt & Pepper

2 cups mozzarella cheese

2 14 oz cans diced tomatoes (I used 1 fire roasted & 1 regular)

Several Basil leaves - chopped (I love basil so I use the whole container)

2 cups dried pasta (I used whole wheat)

1 cup Parmesan cheese (I used a Parmesan/Mozzarella blend)Preheat oven to 400. Grease a 13x9 pan.

1/2 cup Italian style breadcrumbs (if you only have plain breadcrumbs you can add your own seasoning!)

Place olive oil in the pan and add meat. Cook until brown all over. Add onion & garlic and cook an additional few minutes. Add Italian seasoning and salt & pepper.

While the meat is cooking, boil water in a separate pan and cook noodles until just tender. They will cook a little more in the oven so don't overcook them here. When they are done strain them and place them in a large mixing bowl.

Add meat to the noodles and mix. Add mozzarella, tomatoes and basil & mix well.

Pour this mixture into the pan.

Mix breadcrumbs & Parmesan cheese in a bowl and cover the noodle mixture.  

Bake for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.

Oh - Did I forget to mention that Honeybear loves this dish?