Pasta Au Gratin

Submitted by: JustRightMenus

Description:

My family would have this every New Year's Eve for dinner. It's very, very good. Not very good for you.. so once a year is probably quite enough.

Servings: 8

Categories: Italian, pasta, sausage

From the kitchen of:

Rachel Brown, my mom - an amazing cook!

Ingredients

2 TB oil

1 onion, minced

1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

1 pinch dried thyme

8 oz. mushrooms, sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced

12 oz. tomato puree (note: puree, not paste)

salt & pepper

1/4 c. chopped parsley

1 lb. tube-shaped pasta

1 to 1 1/2 c. parmesan cheese

1 to 1 1/4 c. heavy cream

Directions

Heat oil in a large skillet.

Saute onion until softened, then add sausage.

Saute, breaking up the meat, until browned.

Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.

Add mushrooms and garlic. Toss and cook 3-4 minutes.

Drain off excess fat.

Add tomatoes, then reduce the sauce until thick (4-5 minutes).

Add parsley and adjust seasonings to taste.

Preheat oven to 400°.

Boil the pasta until *nearly* al dente; drain.

Using an 8-10 cup baking dish, arrange 1/4 of the pasta in the bottom, then 1/4 of the sauce, sprinkle generously with parmesan cheese, and dribble with cream. Repeat layering, finishing w/ cheese and cream.

Bake at 400° until golden and bubbly.