Pizza Casserole

By á-179026

Ingredients

• 1 (1-lb.) package ground mild Italian sausage
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (26-oz.) jar marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1/2 medium-size red onion, chopped
• 1/2 medium-size red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 (8-oz.) package sliced baby portobello mushrooms
• 1 cup sliced black olives
• 1/2 cup pepperoni slices, chopped
• 1 (16-oz.) package rigatoni pasta
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups half-and-half
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, shredded (2 cups)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (8-oz.) package shredded mozzarella cheese
• 8 to 10 pepperoni slices

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook sausage and garlic in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes or until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink. Remove with a slotted spoon, reserving drippings in skillet. Drain sausage mixture on paper towels, and transfer to a medium bowl. Stir marinara sauce and 1/2 tsp. salt into sausage mixture.

Sauté onion and next 3 ingredients in hot drippings 5 minutes or until tender; stir in olives and chopped pepperoni. Reserve 1/4 cup onion mixture.

Prepare pasta according to package directions in a large Dutch oven.

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in half-and-half; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 7 to 10 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in fresh mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, pepper, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt. Pour sauce over pasta in Dutch oven, stirring to coat. Stir in onion mixture.

Transfer pasta mixture to a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish, and top with sausage mixture, packaged mozzarella cheese, reserved 1/4 cup onion mixture, and pepperoni slices.

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.