Sausage Pepper Ziti

Here's a quick, easy and cheap pasta recipe that can be frozen, and is perfect for these cooler days and nights.

• 1 lb. box of Ziti
• 1 lb. bulk Italian sausage, cooked and drained
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• 2 26 oz. jars pasta sauce, any flavor
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup of any color sweet pepper you prefer, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta as package directs; drain. In a large bowl, combine ziti, sausage, sauce and 2 cups of the cheese. Mix well. Turn into a lightly greased 5 quart shallow baking pan, cover. Bake 35 minutes until hot and bubbly. Uncover, top with remaining 2 cups of cheese. Bake 10 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Makes 12 to 16 servings.

Special Notes: I use bulk turkey ($1 a lb., frozen) instead of sausage, and season it with Italian seasoning (from the Dollar Store). I buy any sauce that's a real bargain. Sometimes I can get 26 oz. for one dollar! Use store brand mozzarella and pasta. I buy a bag of frozen peppers and onions, intended for fajitas, for $1.29, chop some of them up and throw them in instead of fresh. Also, west Michigan has no idea what ziti is, so I use rainbow or whole grain twists, instead.

I usually make one full recipe in two pans and freeze one. Otherwise, there's just too many servings for only me. I make them in foil pans, using foil to cover them, so if I want to give it to someone who is sick or just needs a lift, I don't worry about the pan. Maybe one of your neighbors makes a dish that you particularly like. Each of you make two of each and swap one! It keeps the taste buds happier.

By Polly from Cedar Springs, MI