Cavatini
Ingredients
16 ounces pasta, preferably a mix of shells, spirals, ziti, rotini, or wheels
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green pepper, sliced
1 medium white or yellow onion, sliced
1 pound hamburger, browned
1 pound Italian sausage, browned
2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce or sauce of your choice
1/2 pound sliced pepperoni
8 ounces mozzarella cheese (shredded)
8 ounces Parmesan cheese (shredded)
salt & pepper to taste
Optional, for serving: Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fill a large pot with water, and put it on the stove on medium heat. Allow the water to come to a boil, and add the pasta. Cook the pasta to al dente, drain, and set aside.
Mince the garlic and cut the onion and pepper into small, thin strips.
In a large pot or skillet, sauté the minced garlic, onion and pepper until cooked. Add in the ground sausage and ground beef. Cook until no more pink shows in the meat mixture. drain grease. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Once the vegetables and meat mixture is cooked, pour the entire jars of sauce into the pot and stir. Allow to cook on high with the vegetables and meat for two to three minutes to reduce slightly.
Once all of the ingredients are ready, layer a 9×13-inch glass casserole dish. Add a layer of noodles, top with the meat and vegetable sauce mixture, add a layer of pepperoni, and sprinkle generously with both mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Add another layer of noodles, sauce, pepperoni, and cheese.
Once the pasta bake is layered, cover it with tin foil. Put the dish in the oven and bake for 35 minutes, covered. Remove the tin foil and allow to bake another 5 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Serve with additional Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
