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As you Workerettes know, life can get in the way sometimes, which is part of the reason the slow cooker and menu plans come in handy!  That's definitely what happened with my world this week, but I am a total ziti fiend and I think this recipe sounds so scrumptious that I couldn't resist sharing it with you, a day late or not.  Might be something tasty to throw together this weekend if you've got company coming.  Pair it with a salad topped with nice juicy tomatoes and cukes...mmm, yum!

Ziti with Spicy Ragout (adapted from Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Slow Cooker Recipes)

What You Need:

• 1 lb. dried ziti pasta (I would use whole grain pasta for even more flavor and nutrition)
• 1 1/4 lbs hot Italian sausage (turn down the heat for kiddos with regular sausage instead of the hot stuff)
• 1 - 26 oz jar spicy red pepper pasta sauce (again, take the spice down a notch with a plain sauce if you prefer!)
• 2 C shredded Italian cheese blend
• 1 C red wine, Merlot
• shredded Parmesan (optional)

What To Do:

• Cook ziti about 10 minutes (to al dente).
• While ziti cooks, cook sausage in a large skillet on medium-high heat until browned.  Stir and break into clumps.
• Transfer pasta to 4-5 quart slow cooker.  Place cooked sausage on top of ziti.
• Stir in pasta sauce, wine, and Italian cheese blend.
• Cover and cook for 2 to 4 hours on low setting.
• Serve hot, with shredded Parmesan if preferred.

Need more slow cooker recipes and inspiration?  Head on over to Diary of a SAHM.  Be sure to vote for her as the Best Food Blog for the Bloggers Choice Awards while you're there!