Baked Ziti with Turkey Sausage

HAPPY 2013!!!!!!!!

With each New Year so many people focus their efforts on eating healthy and getting or staying in shape and our family is doing the same! I made some delicious and HEALTHY recipes over the holidays that I can't wait to share with you this week! This is a Weight Watcher's recipe, but you'd never know it. My daughter asked me when she took her first bite, "Mom, did this food fall from heaven?" 

Recipe adapted from Weight Watchers.com

3/4 pound(s) uncooked turkey sausage, casings removed (I used Jimmy Dean reduced-fat pork sausage)
1 medium uncooked onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
10 oz. frozen green peas, thawed
2 Tablespoon canned tomato paste
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. fennel seed
1/2 tsp. table salt, or to taste
1/2 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
12 oz. uncooked whole-wheat pasta, ziti, cooked according to package directions (I used Dreamfield's low-carb penne pasta)
6 oz. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.

Crumble the sausage meat into a large saucepan and brown over medium heat, stirring often, about 4 minutes.Drain off any fat, then add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes, peas, tomato paste, oregano, basil, thyme, fennel seeds, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook uncovered 5 minutes, stirring often.

Stir in the cooked pasta and half the cheese. Spread evenly into a 9- X 13-inch baking pan. Top evenly with the remaining cheese.

Bake until the cheese has melted and the casserole is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes at room temperature before serving. Serves 8.

Weight Watcher's Points Plus value: 8 points per serving