Baked Pasta with Zucchini, Sausage and Saffron

Method

1. Cut the zucchini into small cubes.
2. Remove the casing from the sausage and cut it into small pieces.
3. Heat a drizzle of oil in a pan, add chopped shallot and let it sweat gently.
4. After a few minutes, add the sausage and brown it.
5. Add the zucchini cubes, sauté quickly, season with thyme leaves and salt (don't overdo it as the sausage is already flavorful). Cook for 3-4 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, cook the pasta al dente and set aside.
7. Prepare the béchamel: melt the butter, add the flour and stir, add salt, then gradually pour in warm milk while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
8. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the zucchini-sausage mixture.
9. Dissolve the saffron in a little warm milk, then add it to the béchamel sauce and mix.
10. Pour the saffron béchamel over the pasta and mix well.
11. Assemble the baked pasta: in a greased baking dish, layer the pasta with cubed caciocavallo cheese and grated cheese, alternating layers.
12. Bake at 240°C in grill mode for 5-6 minutes.
13. Serve immediately.