Meat-Lover’s Pizza Casserole

 

1

lb uncooked ziti or other tubular pasta

1/2

lb bulk Italian sausage

1

medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1

medium green bell pepper, chopped

2

cloves garlic, finely chopped

2

cans (15 oz each) pizza sauce

8

slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

1/2

package (3.5-oz size) sliced pepperoni

2

cups shredded Italian cheese blend (8 oz)

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 3-quart casserole with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package using minimum cook time. Return to saucepan.
• 2 Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, cook and stir sausage, onion, bell pepper and garlic over medium-high heat about 7 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink and onion is softened. Stir in pizza sauce, bacon and pepperoni. Pour mixture over cooked pasta; stir. Spoon half of pasta mixture (about 4 cups) into casserole. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese. Spoon remaining pasta mixture on top.
• 3 Bake 30 minutes; top with remaining 1 cup of cheese. Bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or until hot and cheese is melted and bubbly.