Sausage, Mozzarella & Broccoli Rabe with Shells

I get daily emails from Everyday Food and when I saw this recipe come into my inbox, I had to give it a shot. Once you click on the link for the recipe, there was a great short video on how to make it which was cool. This recipe came out very good and was so easy. This is the type of meal that is great for a busy family that doesn't want to go out for dinner and needs something quick. 

I made a couple of twists on the recipe, instead of spicy sausage I used turkey sausage. Also I used about 9 ounces of mozzarella instead of 6--we love cheese! As for the pasta, I used the one that looks like mini spirals with edges like lasagna, instead of the shells. I had it on-hand and wanted to use ingredients I already had in my pantry. Enjoy this easy and delicious recipe!

Sausage, Mozzarella & Broccoli Rabe with Shells

Recipe by Martha Stewart

Serves 6

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

3 sprigs thyme

Coarse salt and ground pepper

2 garlic cloves, chopped

3 links spicy Italian sausage (3/4 pound total), casings removed (I used turkey sausage-casings removed)

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes

8 ounces medium shell pasta  (I used Corals pasta spirals)

1 bunch broccoli rabe (about 1 pound), trimmed and coarsely chopped

6 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (I used 9 ounces)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Directions: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden brown, 15 minutes (reduce heat if browning too quickly).

Add garlic and sausage (or turkey sausage). Cook, breaking meat up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds. 

Add tomatoes, breaking them up with spoon. Cook sauce until slightly thickened, 5 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Discard thyme.

Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 4 minutes less than package instructions. Add broccoli rabe to pot and cook 15 seconds. Drain pasta and broccoli rabe and return to pot. 

Stir in sausage mixture. Transfer to a 3-quart baking dish or divide among four 16-ounce gratin dishes. 

Top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake until cheese has melted and liquid is bubbling, about 15 minutes.