Nonas Italian Pasta Casserole Recipes

NONA'S ITALIAN PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cut pacetta or Canadian bacon into pieces.
• Break pasta in half and boil it until it's still a little hard.
• Drain pasta and set aside.
• In a skillet heat the olive oil.
• Sauté celery, mushrooms, and onion until tender.
• Add meat and spices and cook until meat is brown; set aside.
• Mix all other ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add to meat mixture and blend well.
• Pour into a baking dish and cook until cheese is melted and pasta is thoroughly cooked (about 30 minutes).
• Note: You may want to boil some extra pasta to serve with this because the dish by itself is very rich. The mushroom pieces should be sized to the cooks personal taste. I prefer bigger pieces while my mother likes smaller. Canadian bacon works just great.

ITALIAN PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, crumble beef and sausage into a large skillet; add onion. Cook and stir over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Drain pasta; stir in meat mixture and pepperoni. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a 2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with half of the cheese; repeat layers., Cover and bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.