Cheesy Italian Pasta

By srumbel

This cheesy pasta is loaded with bacon, sausage, and tomatoes. It is a great dinner to make ahead.
from insidebrucrewlife.com

Ingredients

• 1 - 12 ounce box bow tie pasta
• 10 slices bacon
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 - 14 ounce cans stewed tomatoes
• 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 1/2 cups tomato juice
• 2/3 cups evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 cup cooked crumbled sausage
• 2 cups frozen peas
• 1 cup Italian blend shredded cheese

Details

Preparation time 30mins

Preparation

Step 1

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Cook the bacon until crisp. Place the bacon on paper towels. Crumble when cooled off.
Add 6 Tablespoons bacon grease to a large saucepan. Cook the onions in the bacon grease 2-3 minutes.
Pour in the tomatoes, garlic, oregano, juice, milk, basil, and red pepper. Simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
Stir the crumbled bacon, sausage, pasta, and peas into the tomato mixture. Top with the cheese and cover until melted. Serve immediately. Serves 10-12.

Notes

*This pasta can be made ahead of time if you need dinner in a hurry. Place the finished pasta dinner in a 9x13 tin foil pan and top with cheese and foil. Refrigerate until later. Pull out 30 minutes early, then bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted.