Kitten’s Sausage Pepperoni Penne Casserole
To save time cook the tomato sauce and sausage meat a day ahead, heat both before using
Try to use a good quality pepperoni it really makes a flavor difference, to assure the penne does not get to soft when oven baked in the casserole only cook/boil until halfway
Servings 8-10
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound bulk Italian sausage links, casings removed
1-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3 cups uncooked penne pasta (measure 3 cups before cooking, cooked only halfway, do not cook all the way the pasta will cook more in the oven — I use a scant 3/4 of a 1-pound package of penne)
1 (4-1/2 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1/4 pound sliced pizza pepperoni. sliced in half
1/4 cup sliced black olives, drained (can omit if desired)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Sauce:
oil, as needed (to coat the bottom of the pot)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons dried oregano
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon crushed chili flakes (or adjust to taste)
2 (8 ounce) cans Hunt’s tomato sauce (do not substitute crushed tomatoes!)
1 teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste (can use white salt)
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup half and half cream (can use more)
INSTRUCTIONS:—————————————–
Set oven rack to lowest position.
Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
In a large skillet cook the Italian sausage meat with garlic powder until lightly browned (don’t break up the meat too much leave chunky pieces, I also add in a couple tablespoons of oil for quicker browning) transfer to a large bowl.
Mix in the cooked pasta, mushrooms, black olives and chopped pepperoni; set aside.
In a medium pot heat oil over medium-high heat (use enough oil to coat the bottom the pot.
Add in onion, Italian seasoning and oregano; cook for about 4 minutes or until onion is softened.
Add in garlic, chili flakes; cook for 2 minutes.
Add in tomato sauce and salt; bring to a simmer stirring.
Reduce heat to low and simmer stirring frequently for about 1 hour, seasoning sith black pepper and move salt if needed about halfway through cooking (the sauce must cook for at least 1 hour)
Remove from heat; mix in the cream.
Pour the tomato sauce over the pasta mixture; toss to combine.
Transfer to baking dish.
Cover and bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven for about 40 minutes.
Remove from oven sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top; return to over and bake another 8-10 minutes or until hot an bubbly.
Posted on www.recipezazz.com
Related posts:
- Kitten’s Penne Pepperoni Sausage Casserole
Kitten’s Sausage Alfredo Penne Casserole
Creamy Tomato-Sausage Penne for Two
Meaty Penne “Lasagna” Casserole
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