Baked Cavatelli

baked cavatelli

This quick and easy cavatelli casserole recipe uses simple but tasty ingredients such as fresh mozzarella and sausage.

ingredients

• 2-1/3  cups

  dried cavatelli or wagon wheel macaroni (7 ounces)
• 12  ounces

  uncooked Italian sausage links, sliced 1/2 inch thick, or lean ground beef
• 3/4  cup

  chopped onion
• 2  cloves

  garlic, minced
• 1  26-ounce jar

  pasta sauce
• 1  cup

  shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)

  
  

  1/4  teaspoon            black pepper

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  directions

  1.

  Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; set aside.

  2.

  In a large skillet cook the sausage, onion, and garlic until sausage is brown; remove from skillet. Drain.

  3.

  In a large bowl stir together pasta sauce, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and the pepper. Add the cooked pasta and the drained sausage mixture. Stir gently to combine. Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart casserole.*

  4.

  Bake, covered, in a 375 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until nearly heated through. Uncover; sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

  5.

  Makes 5 or 6 servings

  6.

  *Note: For individual portions, spoon the mixture into 5 or 6 individual (8- to 10-ounce) casseroles. Place the casseroles on a large baking sheet. Cover casseroles with foil and bake in a 375 degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until nearly heated through. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese, and bake about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted.