MEATY PASTA CASSEROLES

Meaty Pasta Casseroles image

I love this recipe because it makes two hearty casseroles. Every time I make it I add a little something different, such as extra garlic, to give it an added boost of flavor. -Debra Butcher, Decatur, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 2 casseroles (6 servings each).

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 pound bulk Italian pork sausage
1-3/4 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian diced tomatoes
1 jar (23-1/2 ounces) Italian sausage and garlic spaghetti sauce
1 jar (16 ounces) chunky mild salsa
1 package (8 ounces) sliced pepperoni, chopped
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, divided
4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1-1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1 jar (24 ounces) 3-cheese spaghetti sauce

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook beef, sausage, mushrooms, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, breaking meat into crumbles; drain., Drain pasta; add to the meat mixture. Stir in the tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, salsa and pepperoni. , Preheat oven to 350°. Divide half the pasta mixture between 2 greased 13x9-in. baking dishes. Sprinkle each with 1/4 cup Swiss cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Spread 3/4 cup 3-cheese spaghetti sauce over each. Top with remaining pasta mixture and 3-cheese spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses., Cover and bake until bubbly, about 25 minutes. Uncover; bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes longer. Freeze option: Cover unbaked casserole and freeze for up to 3 months. To use, thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake casserole, covered, 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 708 calories, Fat 38g fat (16g saturated fat), Cholesterol 106mg cholesterol, Sodium 1788mg sodium, Carbohydrate 54g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 38g protein.