Baked Ziti And Sausage Casserole

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This recipe was taken from mccall's magazine years ago, it has remained a family favorite for years! You can use ricotta cheese in place of the cottage cheese if desired.

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Steps

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Set oven to 350 degrees.

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Grease a 3-quart baking dish.

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Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until just tender.

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Place the cooked pasta in a large bowl.

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Heat oil.

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Add in the sausage meat and cook until browned , remove to a plate.

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For the white sauce.

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Melt butter in a medium saucepan.

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Add the onion , garlic and cayenne pepper if using) saute for about 3-4 minutes.

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Add in flour and whisk for 1 minute.

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Slowly add in half and half cream.

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Bring to a simmer , whisking constantly until thickened.

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Remove from heat.

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Add in 1 / 3 cup parmesan cheese , then season with seasoned salt and pepper to taste.

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Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked pasta in the bowl.

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Mix with a wooden spoon.

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In a medium bowl mix together the cottage cheese with 1 / 4 cup parmesan cheese , egg and chopped parsley , then season with salt and lots of pepper.

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Spoon half of the creamed ziti mixture into the prepared baking dish , then spread the cottage cheese mixture on top , then spoon the remain.

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Ingredients

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ziti pasta, oil, italian sausage, butter, onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, flour, seasoning salt, black pepper, half-and-half, parmesan cheese, cream-style cottage cheese, egg, fresh parsley, salt and pepper, mozzarella cheese, paprika