Macaroni Pizza Casserole

By Lsweetnell

I like Italian sausage; however some family members do not, so if you are one of those that do not like Italian sausage use a good quality regular, not hot sausage, like Jimmy Dean.

Makes 12 servings Macaroni Pizza Casserole



Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Macaroni (elbows, rigatoni, any type of macaroni except long noodles or spaghetti types)
• 1/2 lb Italian Sausage, diced (or regular Jimmy Dean sausage, cooked and drained)
• 1 medium Onion, chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 Green Pepper, diced
• 2 cups Fresh Mushrooms, diced
• 16 oz Pasta Sauce
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 2 Eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese

Details

Adapted from annsentitledlife.com

Preparation

Step 1

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Grease a 13″x9″ casserole dish with a non-stick spray; set aside.
• Cook macaroni until just tender, drain well.
• In a large pan on the stove over a medium heat, sauté until brown sausage, onion, garlic, green pepper and mushrooms; drain off any fat.
• Remove one cup of the meat and vegetable mixture, reserve for later.
• Stir pasta sauce and oregano into the meat mixture left in the pan; simmer for 5 minutes.
• Combine macaroni, beaten eggs and Parmesan cheese.
• Cover the bottom of your greased 13″x9″ pan with the macaroni mixture.
• Spoon the meat sauce mixture from the pan on the stove evenly over the macaroni mixture.
• Top with mozzarella, and then the reserved cup of meat and vegetable mixture.
• Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 25-30 minutes until cheese is lightly browned.
• Remove Macaroni Pizza Casserole from the oven and allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving.
• Refrigerate leftovers.
• Note: you can vary the toppings if so desired.