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Cavatini

Irresistible Cavatini: Easy Comfort Food in One Dish

This Cavatini recipe combines savory meats, melty cheeses, and rich pasta sauce for a delightful comfort food experience.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 pound rotini pasta (or cavatappi) Opt for rotini for texture.
For the Vegetables
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil For sautéing veggies.
  • 1 cup diced green pepper Adds color and crunch.
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion Enhances sweetness when caramelized.
For the Meats
  • ½ pound Italian sausage Provides savory flavor.
  • ½ pound ground beef Adds heartiness.
  • ½ 6 ounce bag pepperoni slices Bold taste; add more if desired.
For the Cheeses
  • 6 ounce bag shredded parmesan cheese Adds nutty depth.
  • 8 ounce bag shredded mozzarella cheese Divided use for topping.
For the Sauce
  • 2 24 ounce jars pasta sauce Rich sauce essential for Cavatini.

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch casserole dish
  • large pot
  • medium-size skillet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cavatini
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Bring salted water to a boil, add rotini pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Heat oil in a skillet, add green peppers and onions, and sauté for about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add Italian sausage and ground beef to the skillet, cooking until browned, about 7-10 minutes.
  5. In the pot with warm pasta, add sautéed vegetables and browned meat, mixing until combined.
  6. Add pepperoni, parmesan, and half of the mozzarella, then pour in the pasta sauce, stirring well.
  7. Transfer mixture to casserole dish, top with remaining mozzarella, and spread evenly.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
  9. Allow to cool for a few minutes before cutting into squares and serving warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Customize with extra veggies or swap meats to suit your taste preferences.

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