Baked Ziti and Sausage

Baked Ziti and Sausage

3 cups uncooked ziti or other small tube pasta
1/2 pound Italian sausage links
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 cups milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cups (16 ounces) small-curd cottage cheese
1 tablespoon minced fresh parley
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
Paprika

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; place in a bowl. In a skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and cut into 1/2-in. slices.

In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Pour over pasta; toss to coat.

In a bowl, combine the egg, cottage cheese, parsley, and remaining Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Spoon half of the pasta mixture into a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Top with cottage cheese mixture.

Add sausage to the remaining pasta mixture; spoon over the top. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and paprika. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Makes 6 servings.