CHEESY MEATY PASTA BAKE

Cheesy Meaty Pasta Bake image

Provided by Maggie M

Categories Pasta

Number Of Ingredients 16

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1/4 tsp onion powder
3/4 tsp garlic powder or fresh garlic to your taste
1 tsp oregano - or italian seasoning
1-1/2 c spiral pasta noodles - uncooked - or any large surface noodle
3/4 lb lean ground beef
1/4 lb sweet italian sausage
2 Tbsp butter
2 c sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 c thinly sliced onion
1/2 c chopped green bell pepper
1/4 c diced celery
1/3 c diced pepperoni
2 c tomato sauce
1/2 c shredded provolone cheese
3/4 c shredded mozzarella cheese
3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly spray a baking dish - 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 and set aside.
2. In a small dish mix together the onion powder, garlic and oregano and set aside.
3. Cook the pasta according to package instructions but shorten the cooking time by 2 minutes. Rinse and drain well.
4. Heat a large skillet or pot to medium and add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook until done. Remove meat from pan but leave the drippings.
5. To the pan drippings add the butter. Then add the mushrooms, onion, bell pepper and celery and cook until all are done but not scorched.
6. Add the meat mixture to the cooked vegies then mix in the pepperoni. Sprinkle the seasonings and stir to blend over low heat.
7. Stir in the tomato sauce and heat thoroughly over low for about 5 minutes. Add the pasta and stir to combine.
8. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the Provolone and half of the Mozzarella cheese.
9. Cover and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Remove cover and sprinkle with remainder of cheeses. Return to the oven for about 5 minutes or until all of the cheese has melted.
10. Remove from oven and let it sit for at least 7 minutes before serving. Serve with Parmesan cheese if desired.