Polenta and Sausage

Are you ready for one of my healthy, fast and easy dinners?

Have you ever tried polenta?  I've seen it on cooking shows, and I would love to feel more adventurous with it.  Polenta is a cornmeal blend used in Italian cooking.  It is a healthier alternative to pasta.  If you've been wanting to try it, and haven't, I highly suggest trying it this way!  My mom found this recipe in Cooking Light magazine years and years ago.  I don't follow the recipe exactly.  (When do I ever?)  This is the recipe as I make it.  Enjoy it!

1 (16 oz.) tube refrigerated prepared polenta, cut into 1/4 inch slices.

cooking spray
2 lbs. turkey sausage

This is the polenta that I use.

1 cup chopped green pepper

1 tsp. Italian Seasoning

2 (14.5 oz.) cans of diced tomatoes, drained

1/2-1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (You can also use regular, full fat, cheese.)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Arrange slices in the bottom of an 11x7 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.  **If I cut the slices slightly thinner I can fit them into a 9x13 pan which is a better size for my large family.

Bake at 450 for 8 minutes, turning once.  

Remove casings from sausage.  Coat a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray.  Cook and brown sausage, add in bell pepper when it is close to done.  Add Italian seasoning and tomatoes.  Cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.  

Pour sausage mixture over polenta, sprinkle cheese over top. Bake at 450 for 3 -5 minutes or until cheese melts.