Pasta Fazool (Pasta and Beans With Sausage)

Kittencalskitchen's Note:

This is a delicious dish that includes beans, pasta and sausage meat all in one, topped with cheese then baked in the oven, it's a very popular Italian dish and there are many versions of this recipe, this one is a family favorite, I hope you enjoy this as much as my family does! --- If you prefer a dryer mixture then drain the tomatoes, ziti pasta works well in place of penne, please adjust the cayenne pepper to suit heat level, prep time includes cooking the pasta.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 35 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 1 lb hot Italian sausage , casings removed (can use mild, spicy is better to use)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large onion , chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano , to taste
• ½-1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 (28 ounce) can plum tomatoes , undrained and chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or adjust to heat level, can use crushed chili flakes)
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans , rinsed and drained
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (or to taste, can use white salt)
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 1 lb dry penne pasta (can use more or less if desired)
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 12 ounces provolone cheese , grated (more if desired)

Directions:

1. Set oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
3. Cook the pasta until just al dente (do not overcook); drain, do not rinse and immediately toss with 1-2 Tbsp oil to prevent sticking; set aside.
4. In a large fry pan, sauté the sausage, ground beef, onion, garlic, dried oregano and thyme, over med-high heat, until the sausage and the ground beef are brown, crumbling with a fork while cooking (about 6-7 minutes).
5. Add in the undrained tomatoes, tomato paste and the cayenne pepper; simmer for 5-6 minutes (breaking up tomatoes with the back of a spoon).
6. Add in the kidney beans, and heat through.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Add in the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese and parsley; toss to combine.
9. Transfer the mixture to a prepared baking dish.
10. Top with grated cheese.
11. Bake for 25 minutes, or until cheese melts and the mixture is hot and bubbly.

Reviews

[jane49423]

This was really good and even my husband liked it (he's not a pasta bake fan). I'm still enjoying the leftovers. Didn't use any beef, and only about 2/3 of the pasta. Also, no provolone, so topped it with Mozzarella

[Thumbs]

Love, love, love this! I'm sure my husband is going to label it as "chili" which he does to anything of a tomato, bean and meat mixture, but I don't care - it was delicious!

[CareyLee]

Sorry Kittencal this didn't go over well at our house. I thought it was pretty good but DH didn't care for the beans. He felt that the beans gave a weird texture. It certainly is not a traditional pasta fagioli. It was pretty much a baked ziti taking out the ricotta & substituting beans. Probably will not be making again.