Shelly's Recipe

MACARONI AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

Category: Casseroles - Pork

2 cups cooked macaroni pasta, drained and kept warm
2 tablespoons butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup chopped spinach
3/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound ground mild Italian sausage
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 3-4 quart casserole dish.

Pour the cooked macaroni into the casserole and toss with the butter until coated.

In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, cottage cheese and Greek yogurt, chopped spinach, salt and pepper until well combined. Spread the mixture over the macaroni.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until tender, approximately five minutes. Raise the temperature to medium-high and add the sausage, breaking up the meat with a spoon and cooking until the meat is browned, an additional 6-7 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes with liquid and simmer several minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.

Pour the meat mixture over the cheese mixture and spread to cover. Cover the meat with the Cheddar cheese. Do not mix anything together, but leave layered. Bake, covered, until bubbly, approximately 35 minutes.