“Since hunger is the most primitive and permanent of human wants, men always want to eat, but since their wish not to be a mere animal is also profound, they have always attended with special care to the manners which conceal the fact that at the table we are animals feeding.” - John Erskine

27 August 2011

Italian Pasta Casserole


I think we all have a favorite copy of this recipe, but just in case, I’m sharing this one.  Its a nice fallback when you dont know what to make for dinner, its easy to make, satisfying and tastes great.  So here’s the unadulterated recipe.  (As usual, my changes are below.)

Italian Pasta Casserole
serves 6
2 cups uncooked spiral pasta
½ pound lean ground beef
½ pound Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cans (14½ ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/3 cup tomato paste
¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 ounces sliced turkey pepperoni
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Meanwhile, crumble beef and sausage into a large skillet; add onion and garlic.  Cook and stir over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.  Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste and seasonings.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

Drain pasta; stir in meat mixture and pepperoni.  Transfer half of pasta mixture to a 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle with half of cheese; repeat layers. 

Cover and bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

Instead of the turkey sausage links I used regular old Jimmy Deans.  Didn’t have to bother with the casings, and I had already used my turkey sausage for Jambalaya.  Theres a low-fat version too, if youre trying to eat healthier.  Since I was doubling the recipe, it made it simple with 1 pound ground beef and 1 pound sausage.  I left out the pepperoni too.  Seemed like overkill to me (my husband agreed) but if you want to try it that way, go for it.  Let me know how it tastes. 

This was pretty yummy, but I think I’m getting a little tired of Italian.  My husband could eat it every night, but I’m ready for a change.  Maybe I’ll share my easy peasy jambalaya recipe with you...

1 comment:

  1. Pretty much as I predicted to you, McKenna wouldn't even try it...Sam and I liked it, Steve really liked it...the only thing I would do different is add the sausage. I only added ground beef and it needed just a little something more for me to REALLY like it. All in all, I think we've got a keeper here! Thanks M! :-)

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