Ricotta Sausage Triangles

Name: Ricotta Sausage Triangles
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 12 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 carton (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese; 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 1 jar (8 ounces) roasted sweet red peppers, drained and chopped; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 3 tablespoons chopped ripe olives; 1 large egg; 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 pound bulk Italian sausage; 1 medium onion, chopped; 96 sheets phyllo dough (14x9-inch size); Olive oil-flavored cooking spray; Warm marinara sauce, optional

Savory pockets filled with cheese, sausage and seasonings...what's not to like? This recipe makes a lot so it's ideal for parties or potlucks. If you don't need the entire amount, they do freeze well. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida

Ingredients

1 carton (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 jar (8 ounces) roasted sweet red peppers, drained and chopped
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons chopped ripe olives
1 large egg
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
96 sheets phyllo dough (14x9-inch size)
Olive oil-flavored cooking spray
Warm marinara sauce, optional

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir into cheese mixture.
Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough on a work surface with a short end facing you; spray with cooking spray. Top with a second sheet of phyllo; spray again with cooking spray. (Keep remaining phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.) Cut layered sheets into three 14x3-in. strips.
Place a rounded teaspoonful of filling on lower corner of each strip. Fold dough over filling, forming a triangle. Fold triangle up, then fold triangle over, forming another triangle. Continue folding, like a flag, until you come to the end of the strip.
Spritz end of dough with spray and press onto triangle to seal. Turn triangle and spritz top with spray. Repeat with remaining phyllo and filling.
Place triangles on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Serve warm and, if desired, with marinara sauce.
Freeze option: Freeze unbaked triangles in freezer containers, separating layers with waxed paper. To use, bake triangles as directed, increasing time as necessary until golden and heated through.