Easy Italian Pasta Casserole

Sugar Plum's Note:

This recipe is so easy and so yummy. We have it often at my house on those busy weeknights when I'm just too tired to get crazy in the kitchen. I usually serve this dish with cottage cheese and garlic bread as sides. It's my 16 year-old, pasta-loving son's favorite! We hope you'll love it too! OPTIONAL: You can add 1 pound of browned and drained hamburger or Italian sausage or throw in some pepperoni slices if your family likes it meaty!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 (26 ounce) jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
• 1 (26 ounce) sauce jar filled with water (and a splash of red wine if you like)
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 16 ounces penne or 16 ounces ziti pasta or 16 ounces rigatoni pasta , uncooked
• 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground oregano
• 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (Italian-blend is tasty)

Directions:

1. Stir all ingredients, except the cheese, into a sprayed 9 x 13 casserole dish.
2. Cover tightly with foil. Bake at 425°F for 45 minutes.
3. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more.
4. Stir in 1/2 the shredded cheese and top with the other 1/2.
5. Return to oven just until the cheese on top is nice and melty.

Reviews

[Bethany'smom]

fantastico! thank you so much for sharing. this was exactly what i needed on a busy day!

[Chef 'Diva Divine]

Had this for dinner last night and for the main reason as it looked like something EASY to throw together on a tiredsome weeknight, and guess what.... it WAS. My boys are meat lovers so I opted to cook with ground italian sausage. I only had 12oz penne pasta, but it turned out to be the right consistancy to our liking....not too dry and not too saucy, I also used 2 rounded tsp o italian seasoning, 2tsp garlic powder (garlic lovers) and added 1tsp salt. We ALL loved it, even the picky eater in the house who really only has a passion to eat pizza, chicken nuggets, or fish sticks. Thanks again forthe quick and easy dish it will definately be on regular rotaion here.