Baked Italian Sausage Rotini

I found this dish as well as the bread stick recipe included from the Favorite Family Recipes blog and it truly has become a family favorite. It is not too spicy and it comes together really fast. The breadsticks, my husband declared, were the best I have ever made so far...that really says something people. In other words...they are so good that you won't be able to find anyone who doesn't like them because he is Mr. Picky himself. If you think your little ones might be turned off by the spice in the Rotini dish you could just do a tsp. of red pepper flakes or leave them out entirely. We like a little spice in my family. Also, my husband doesn't love sausage so I usually just use ground beef and fry it or make tiny meatballs, this dish is very versatile.

Baked Italian Sausage Rotini
from Favorite Family Recipes
1 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp. minced garlic

1 pkg. uncooked ground Italian sausage

1 pkg. curly, bowtie, or wagonwheel noodles - cooked
1 bottle 4 cheese spaghetti sauce
2 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 cups mozzarella cheese (divided)

Roll the ground Italian sausage into small balls.  In a large fry pan, brown the garlic in olive oil.  Then add sausage balls and cook until browned.
In a large bowl toss together the sausage with all the other ingredients reserving 1 cup of cheese.
Pour pasta mixture into a 9x13 inch pan lined with cooking spray.  Bake at 375 for 25 min.  Top with remaining cheese and bake 5 more minutes.

Best Breadsticks Ever

1½ cups warm water

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. yeast

Let that sit for 5 minutes. Then add:

3½ cups flour

1 tsp Salt

Mix until smooth then let raise for 10 minutes. Roll out dough into a large square on a floured surface. Brush with melted (real) butter mixed with garlic and then sprinkle with kosher salt. Fold in half and cut into 1 inch strips. Twist and place on a cooking sheet. Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes to raise. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately after baking, brush with more garlic butter and sprinkle with kosher salt and grated Parmesan cheese.

*Dough also makes a great pizza dough, just roll out into a large circle, add your favorite toppings, and bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.