SAUSAGE AND PEPPERONI PIZZA PASTA

Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza Pasta image

Quick-prep veggies and simple seasonings get this saucy meat-lover's pizza casserole on the table pronto. It's great for potlucks, too, as it can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a large group. -Julie Glisson Zdero, Racine, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

4 cups uncooked penne pasta
3 Italian sausage links, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni
3-1/2 cups water
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
2 envelopes thick and zesty spaghetti sauce mix
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

Cook penne according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook the sausage, mushrooms, pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender; drain and remove from pan., Cook pepperoni in the same pan until heated through. Return sausage mixture to the pan., Stir in the water, tomato paste, spaghetti sauce mix, olives, oil and garlic salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes to allow flavors to blend., Drain pasta; stir into sausage mixture. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese., Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 500 calories, Fat 26g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 44mg cholesterol, Sodium 1415mg sodium, Carbohydrate 43g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 18g protein.