GARLIC BREAD PASTA TORTE

Garlic Bread Pasta Torte image

My kids love to stuff spiral pasta inside bread for a clever dinner torte. We save the bread crusts to make garlicky croutons for salad. -Melissa Birdsong, Waleska, Georgia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) spiral pasta
1 package (19-1/2 ounces) Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
6 tablespoons butter, cubed
6 garlic cloves, minced
20 slices white bread, crusts removed
Additional marinara sauce, warmed, optional

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400°. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain and return to pot., In a large skillet, cook sausage, mushrooms, green pepper and onion over medium-high heat 7-9 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink, breaking up sausage into crumbles; drain. Stir in sauce, basil and Italian seasoning. Add to pasta; stir in 2 cups cheese., In a microwave, melt butter; stir in garlic. Lightly brush one side of bread with garlic butter. Line bottom and sides of a greased 10-in. springform pan with bread slices, trimming to fit and facing buttered sides against pan. Fill with pasta mixture; press firmly to pack down. Sprinkle with remaining cheese., Bake, uncovered, 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted. Loosen sides from pan with a knife; remove rim. If desired, serve with additional marinara sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 409 calories, Fat 16g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 752mg sodium, Carbohydrate 48g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 19g protein.