Baked Ziti in Mornay Sauce with Sausage and Fennel

By á-68271

Ingredients

• 3 TBS butter
• # TBS flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 6 ounces Parmesan cheese
• 2 TBS olive oil
• 1 large fennel bulb thinly sliced
• 2 pounds of Italian sausage cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 pound Ziti pasta
• 1/4 cup fresh basil chiffonaded

Preparation

Step 1

For the Sauce: In a saucepan melt the butter and add flour. Cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk 1/2 cup at a time then season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook, stirring constantly for 4-6 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of grated cheese.

In a large skillet heat oil and brown sausage and add fennel and saute for another 3-4 minutes. In a large bowl combine cooked pasta, sausage and Mornay sauce. Mix well and pour into a 2 quart baking dish. Top with cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes at 350. Serve with basil garnish on top.