What to feed a man who hasn't had a real meal in months...

In addition to his very busy work schedule, Eric is in school for an MBA. He is never home. Ever. I haven't cooked a real meal in...a long, long time. He hasn't had a real meal in a long, long time either! I miss being in the kitchen! Eric attacks his two classes with the vigor and enthusiasm of his undergraduate engineering days even though he probably doesn't have to. What a good student!

So we were gone all weekend for a wedding in Austin, TX. We got home about 4:00 Sunday and we were both craving something warm, satisfying and comforting so I broke out one of my old standbys. It's one of my hubby's absolute favorites!

ERIC'S FAVORITE BAKED MOSTACCIOLI
(Recipe courtesy of: ME!)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 box dried mostaccioli pasta (you could use ziti, penne, rigatoni or any chunky pasta)
• 2 links spicy italian sausage, casings removed
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1 1/2 tbls of minced garlic (more or less to your taste)
• 1 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Italian seasoning to taste
• Red pepper flakes to taste
• 1/4 cup of grated parm cheese
• 1/4 cup italian style bread crumbs
• 1 tbls. butter
• Additional grated parm for serving

Directions:

• Cook pasta to desired tenderness, drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, cook onion and sausage in a skillet until browned. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
• Add tomatos, salt and pepper, italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, stir, getting all the brown bits up from the bottom. Turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Grease a small casserole dish, add pasta and sauce, toss to coat.
• Mix parm cheese and breadcrumbs together and sprinkle over the top of pasta. Cut butter into small pieces and place on top.
• Bake in a 400 degree oven until heated through and top is browned.
• Serve with additional parm cheese. Enjoy!

Sometimes I skip the breadcrumb toping in favor of cheese but I gotta say I'm a sucker for that crispy crust. I just love it! It tastes like it took a long time to prepare when really its super easy to throw together. I serve it with a ceasar salad and some kind of bread or roll on the side. Perfect for my busy school boy!