Pumpkin Ricotta Italian Bake

Last year, while I was working (out of the home).  A coworker had brought in her leftovers for lunch, she was eating this pasta bake made with Italian sausage and pumpkin.  Sounds yummy and sounds like a Fall meal! 

You can use mild or hot sausage, and/or you can add as much pepper or crushed red pepper as you like

Ingredients:

• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic diced
• 1 lb. Italian sausage (bulk)
• 15 oz. can of pumpkin
• 32oz. of chicken stock
• 1/2 tsp. sage
• 1/2 tsp. dry oregano
• ground pepper
• crushed red pepper
• salt
• 1 cup of ricotta cheese
• 1 lbs. of mostaccioli pasta (penne or rigatoni would work too)
• 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese

In a large pot start the water to cook the pasta; once boiling cook till al-dente (not soft).  In a separate large skillet on medium heat, add the tbs of oil, diced onion, and garlic.  Add a pinch of salt to sweat the onion and garlic; when they become softened and translucent add the 1bls of sausage.   Cook the sausage completely until browned.  If necessary, drain the sausage mixture of excessive oil/grease.  Next, add the can of pumpkin and the chicken stock, mix thoroughly.  Add the sage, oregano, and pepper (crushed red pepper) to the sauce.   Taste and season as desired.  Cook for about 5 minutes to reduce the sauce a bit, then add the 1 cup of ricotta cheese.  Remove from heat. Once the pasta is completely cooked and drained, add it to the sauce mixture.  Combine completely.  (Its okay for it to look a bit runny, pasta will soak it in once its baked!)

Pour the pasta/sauce mixture into a buttered casserole dish.  Top the casserole with the 1 cup of shredded Parmesan.  Cook at 350 degrees uncovered until bubbly and starting to brown on top; about 25 minutes.  You can low broil the top for about 4 minutes to make it a little browner.

I ended up not adding any salt to sauce, it tasted fine.  Plus the Parmesan on top is salty anyways.  I also added quite a bit of pepper and a little crushed pepper.  I would probably prefer hot sausage, but not everyone in my house is fond of spicy, they may be asking for drink refills anyways with the pepper I put in it.  :-)