Chicken Sausage and Provolone Penne Bake

1 lb whole wheat penne, cooked according to directions
1 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped red pepper
1 12 oz package chicken or turkey sausage, sliced into 1/2" coins
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes, undrained
Cooking spray
1 cup shredded sharp provolone cheese
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to directions. Preheat oven to 350F. Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add onion, bell pepper, sausage, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes or until sausage is browned. Add tomato paste, vinegar, salt, oregano, pepper flakes and tomatoes. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Combine pasta and tomato mixture in a 9x13 baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle cheeses on top. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

*next time we try this we will drain 2 cans of tomatoes and leave 1, and probably use a whole can of tomato paste instead of just the tablespoon. It tends to be somewhat runny, with the cans undrained, but it's very, very good!

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user KMARIE0218.