New Orleans Pasta Bake

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• 2 quarts water
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 quarts water
• 8 oz whole wheat pasta, (dry)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 8 oz whole wheat pasta, (dry)
• ½ lb Andouille sausage, (whole)
  Ingredient note

  Source: ½ lb Andouille sausage, (whole)
• ½ each red onion, (diced)
  Ingredient note

  Source: ½ red onion, (diced)
• 1 each celery stalk, (diced)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 celery stalk, (diced)
• ½ each green pepper, (diced)
  Ingredient note

  Source: ½ green pepper, (diced)
• ½ each red pepper, (diced)
  Ingredient note

  Source: ½ red pepper, (diced)
• 1 Tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 Tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 c diced tomatoes (or a 14 oz can, undrained)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 c diced tomatoes (or a 14 oz can, undrained)
• ¾ c milk
  Ingredient note

  Source: ¾ c milk
• 1 ½ Tbsp tomato paste
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 ½ Tbsp tomato paste
• 1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1/3 c mozzarella cheese, (shredded)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/3 c mozzarella cheese, (shredded)

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Bring 2qts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add pasta and simmer, uncovered 6-7 minutes, until the pasta just begins to soften. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat, covered, until firm, 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and slice. Set aside.
4. Add onion and celery to the sausage grease that is left in the skillet. Sauté the vegetables until they begin to soften, 2-3 minutes. Add peppers and continue to saute 2-3 min.
5. Add flour and stir until moistened.
6. Add the sliced, cooked sausage and stir to mix.
7. Add diced tomatoes, milk, tomato paste, and Cajun spice blend. Simmer 4-6 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
8. Toss the drained pasta with the veggie and sausage mixture, and place everything into a greased, oven-proof, 3 qt baking dish.
9. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes, until bubbly. Top with mozzarella cheese and return to the oven to bake, uncovered, for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.