I am always on the hunt for easy casseroles that I can make ahead, freeze, and pull out on a busy night. This delicious Italian Penne Casserole fits the bill perfectly! I can make it ahead (or better yet make TWO), stick it in the freezer, pull it out on a busy weeknight and serve it with a quick salad and bread. Our whole family enjoys this dish, so I’m sharing it on the blog today with you all in hopes that your family will enjoy it, too. Here’s what you will need:
1 box penne pasta, cooked
16 oz container ricotta cheese
1 egg
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 lb ground beef, cooked
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 pkg pepperoni
2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
1 cup white cheddar cheese, grated
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spray a 9 x 11 baking dish with cooking spray. Cook penne pasta according to directions on box. Drain well and set aside. Brown ground beef in skillet. Drain and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and Italian seasoning. Mix well. Add pasta and mix until all pasta is coated with creamy mixture. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Cover with a layer of pepperoni. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, spaghetti sauce, and tomatoes. Mix well and spread over pepperoni layer. Top with cheese. Bake for 45 minutes to one hour, or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
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