Italian Sausage Pasta Bake

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup fat free half and half
• 1 pound rigatoni
• 10 ounces baby spinach
• 12 ounces smoked chicken sausage,or Italian style turkey sausage, sliced
• 6 ounces fontina cheese: 4 ounces cut into 1/2-inch cubes and 2 ounces coarsely grated
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded lowfat mozzarella

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic. Return to heat; cook until almost evaporated, 1 minute.
2. Stir in tomatoes and oregano; cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add half and half; cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
3. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
4. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
5. Cook pasta in the boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions.
6. Add spinach, and cook just until wilted. Drain, and return contents to pot.
7. (or, add spinach directly into the sauce and stir until wilted)
8. Add tomato sauce, sausage, and cubed fontina to pot; toss to coat.
9. Season with salt and pepper. Divide evenly between two shallow 1 1/2-quart baking dishes or one larger dish.
10. Top with grated fontina, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
11. Bake until browned and edges are crisp, 20 to 30 minutes.