Baked Penne with Sweet Sausage, Broccoli and Porcini Mushrooms

Baked Penne with Sweet Sausage, Broccoli & Porcini Mushrooms
by Rebbekkah Fisher  and her awesome 13 year old son!

1/2 ounce Marx Foods Dried Wild Porcini Mushrooms 
1 bunch broccoli, stalks trimmed
1 box penne
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 pound sweet or spicy sausage
1 onion, minced
6 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon thyme
¼ cup flour
2 cups mushroom broth or chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper
1 pound mozzarella, shredded
plain bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons melted butterPreheat the oven to 400F.

To reconstitute the dried mushrooms: Place the dried porcini mushrooms in a glass bowl and place the bowl in the sink. Place a large strainer on top of the glass bowl. Trust me, I know it sounds weird. You’ll see why in a minute.

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rapid boil. Add a pinch of salt. Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli. Let it boil for about 2 minutes. Spoon the broccoli into a bowl and set aside. Let the water return to a boil. When the water boils, add the pasta. Cook the pasta al dente. Drain the boiling water into the strainer over the glass bowl in which you placed the dried porcini mushrooms. Toss the pasta with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Set aside. Wipe out the pot and set aside to use later. Cover the mushrooms with plastic wrap and set aside. They need about 20 minutes to soften.

Slice the sausage links. In a different pan, sauté the sausage until it’s thoroughly cooked. Drain and set the sausage aside.

Chop the mushrooms finely.

Add the remaining oil to the pot you set aside previously and warm over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened and beginning to brown. Stir in the garlic & thyme. Continue to stir frequently. Add the mushrooms, flour and either mushroom broth or chicken broth, and stir until brown (ish). Add the cream and let simmer. Stir frequently. Add the sausage and mozzarella cheese and continue to cook over low heat. Add the pasta and broccoli. Stir until everything is well mixed.

In a small bowl, combine the butter and bread crumbs and sprinkle the top of casserole with the butter and crumb mixture. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

This is FABULOUS!!!!!!