Tasty Tuesday

Yeah, this is a little late on Tuesday but I have 2 little boys with nasty colds who have needed their momma all day long! And Brian is gone for work until early Thursday morning. But I do have a recipe to post! This is one that I've altered from Food Network, another favorite place to get yummy recipes! We are having this on Thursday, if you really care! Hope you make it & enjoy it!

Basil Pesto Pasta

1- pound small shell pasta
1/2 small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
Basil (fresh 1/2 cup, dried 1 tablespoon)
1/2 pound ground Italian Sausage
1 jar store bought pesto sauce(or feel free to make your own)
1 container ricotta cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 pound Mozzarella

Bring a large pot of water to a boil & salt the water. Add small shell pasta & cook around 9-10 minutes. Drain pasta. Meanwhile, heat 1 tsp EVOO in a skillet & add onion. Cook approximately 3 minutes, or until onions begin to soften & then add sausage & garlic. Cook until sausage is brown & onion is translucent. Add crushed tomatoes & basil & simmer on low until pasta is done. Turn broiler on low. In a separate bowl, mix pasta, pesto & ricotta until blended. Pour into 9 X 13 pan. Pour over the tomato & sausage mixture. Top with shredded mozzarella & Parmesan cheese. Put under broiler approximatley 10 inches below broiler until cheese is melted & the top begins to brown. Serve!! This is basically pasta on steroids if you ask me! You can serve breadsticks or a salad on the side. This is also one that you can add or subtract what you like or don't like. I could easily see spinach in this one but have never put it in because I have 2 boys that have a phobia of something green like that.