Feel like getting all the weekend cooking out of the way at once? This is a great mix ahead casserole type dish that is good with company - it's like pizza, so what's not to love! In fact, my Mom says she used to eat this dish at Pizza Hut in Baraboo, WI about 30 years ago. It's been a family favorite for more than 25 years!
Cavatini
3 c. uncooked pasta - any shape, many shapes if you got 'em1 small can mushrooms - drained
1/2 c. sliced black olives - if you like 'em.50
1 medium onion.20
1 jar (15.5 oz. approx.) "spaghetti" sauce - marinara, cheese flavored, whatere' you got!
1 6oz can tomato paste.39
1 8 oz can tomato sauce.49
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese.50
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese$1.10
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cook pasta per package directions until al dente' - slightly crunchy. Drain.
Meanwhile, put remaining ingredientes EXCEPT mozzarella cheese in large bowl and mix well. Add cooked pasta and mix again. Place mixture in a large baking dish (9X13 works well - as would your favorite round or square!) or four - six individual casserole dishes.
Bake covered with foil at 350 degrees until bubbly - approx. 50 minutes - depends on size of casserole dish! Remove from oven, Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella. Return to oven until cheese melts - approx. 10 minutes.
toss together a salad, set the table, enjoy some wine and ring in the new year with company - that's what the Heron family is doing!
This recipe can be made a day or two in advance - longer if you can freeze and thaw prior to baking. You can also "stretch the recipe" by adding more pasta and, if you have it, more pepperoni
We made the Pasta tonight, and boy was it super easy and good! We used sausage instead of peperoni, and the kids loved it. My brother had second helpings and thats a big deal b/c he is a pasta "snob". Another no "leftover" meal, the kind I love!!
ReplyDeleteGot big thumbs up tonight from Ellie - and that's great reviews. She says I'm two for two with this menu thing! The company liked it, and called it pizza pasta! I think that's a great name! Lots of ingredients, but because it's just a "open dump and stir" type of casserole, it's not time consuming.
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