Baked Ziti with Pumpkin & Sausage

Try this easy fall meal – especially if you are a pumpkin fan!

Baked Ziti With Pumpkin & Sausage

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Ingredients

  

• Non-stick cooking spray
• 4 Cups (12 ounces) dry regular or whole-wheat ziti
• 1 Can (15 ounces) 100% pure pumpkin
• 2 Tbl All-purpose flour
• 1 Tsp Garlic powder
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 1/4 Tsp Ground nutmeg
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 Can (12 fluid ounces) Carnation Evaporated Milk
• 4 Links (12 ounces) gull-cooked Italian-seasoned chicken sausage, cut into 1/4 inch slices
• 1 Package (6 ounces) or about 4 cups pre-washed baby spinach
• 1 Cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 Cup (1 1/2 ounces) shredded Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray 4-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray
• Prepare pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water and set aside for later use. Drain pasta; return to cooking pot
• Combine pumpkin, flour, garlic powder, salt, nutmeg and cayenne pepper in medium skillet over medium heat. Slowly add evaporated milk, stirring until smooth. Cook, stirring occasionally for 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken slightly. Pour pasta in pot. Add sausage and reserved pasta cooking water; stir well
• Spread half of pasta mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with spinach. Cover with remaining pasta mixture. Lightly spray a piece of foil with nonstick cooking spray. Cover ziti with foil, greased side down
• Bake 20 minutes or until heated through. Combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses in small bowl. Remove foil; sprinkle with cheese mixture. Bake, uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.