Cavatini Casserole Recipes

CAVATINI PASTA

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook the beef, onions and pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the water, tomato paste, mushrooms, pepperoni, sauce mix and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour., Meanwhile, for pasta, bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add macaroni and pastas. Return to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cook, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes or until tender; drain. Stir into tomato sauce. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish (dish will be full)., Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

CHEESY CAVATINI - CASSIES WAY

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Spray a 9 x 13 or larger deep dish casserole pan with non stick cooking spray. Set aside. Prepare pasta, not quite al dente.
• 2. In a large skillet, add 2 - 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Over medium heat, combine ground beef, sausage, pepperoni, onion, green pepper, garlic and seasonings until vegetables are tender and beef, sausage are cooked through. Drain; return to pan.
• 3. Now, stir in the tomato paste.
• 4. Add the sauce and brown sugar. Cover and simmer for 30 - 40 minutes. Stirring occasionally(If getting too thick; stir in the 1/2 - 3/4 cup water to thin out, you don't want the sauce too thin, but not too thick either.)
• 5. In a large bowl; mix together cooked / drained pasta, ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, and Parmesan.
• 6. In prepared baking dish or pan; coat bottom with about 1 cup sauce. Now, add about 3 cups pasta/cheese mixture. Spread evenly.
• 7. Now, add 2 - 2 1/2 cups meat sauce; spread evenly.
• 8. Repeat layers, ending with sauce.
• 9. Place the mozzarella slices evenly on top of the sauce. I then placed the saved pepperoni on top of the cheese. Optional Bake the Cavatini 30 - 45 minutes, or until browning and bubbly.
• 10. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
• 11. I served this with a tossed salad, and crusty Italian bread. Tastes like lasagna, but without the fuss...delish!!!

EASY CAVATINI

Steps:

• Chop the onion and green pepper.
• Cook pastas together; drain well.
• Saute beef, onion, and green pepper until beef is no longer pink and vegetables are soft. Add the pepperoni and heat thoroughly. Drain excess grease.
• Add spaghetti sauce and simmer 5 minutes.
• Spray a 3-qt casserole with cooking spray. Put 1/2 of the pasta in the casserole. Spoon 1/2 of the meat sauce mixture over the pasta. Spoon the container of cottage cheese over the sauce. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese.
• Top with the remaining pasta, then sauce, then mozzarella cheese.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

BAKED CAVATINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*.
• Grease or Spray a 9x13 casserole dish and set aside.
• Mix all ingredients and pour into the casserole dish then bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
• Note: Sugar takes out the bitter taste of the tomatoes, but can be omitted.
• Serve with a Salad and French Bread and Enjoy.
• This can also be made ahead and frozen for up to a week in advance.