Shelly's Recipe

BAKED ITALIAN RICE

Category: Rice/Risotto

1 cup long grain white rice, cooked and warm
1 Italian sausage link, casing removed
1 small onion, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
3-4 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Italian tomato sauce
1/2 tbsp olive oil

Heat oil in a saute pan. Break apart sausage and add to pan. Cook until brown. Add onion and garlic. Saute until limp. Place rice in a large bowl and add sauce, basil and sausage mixture. Gently toss to blend. Reserving some of the cheeses for topping; add remaining cheese to rice, stir to blend. Transfer to a 2 quart baking dish and top with reserved cheese. Bake, covered, at 350 for 30 minutes.