V's Pizza Casserole

Vseward (Chef~V)'s Note:

This is something I make in our regular rotation and my family's Favorite and most requested. Recently made for a few friends -- so posting by request! Enjoy!

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 12 ounces penne pasta , cooked al dente
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 garlic clove , chopped
• 8 slices cooked bacon , chopped
• 1 small white onion , diced (optional)
• 1 (3 ½ ounce) package sliced pepperoni
• 8 ounces Canadian bacon , chopped
• 8 ounces pizza sauce
• 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese
• ½-1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
• 1 cup cheddar cheese , shredded
• 1 cup monterey jack cheese , shredded (I use 1 pkg Pizza Blend Cheese)

Directions:

1. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain
2. Cook onion and garlic in 2 Tbl Olive oil until translucent. Add ground beef and cook until beef is browned, Drain well. rough chop and add half the pepperoni, add canadian bacon and cooked bacon.
3. Stir in pizza sauce.
4. Add pasta to meat mixture and stir to combine. Add 1/2 cheese mixture and stir again.
5. Top with remaining chesse and Arrange pepperoni slices over casserole, top with parmesan cheese and italian herb seasoning.
6. NOTE: You can bake right in your skillet if it is oven proof or pour mixture into a large casserole dish.
7. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted.
8. Let rest 10 minutes and serve.

Reviews

[internetnut]

I gave this recipe 3 stars. I got mixed reviews on this recipe. While my 6 yr old newphew only liked the pasta my 5 yr old newphew ate his right up. My future hubby commented on how this smelled just like pizza. I loved all the meat in this dish they all mixed together so nicely. When I made this casserole I used 9 slices of bacon as I had an extra piece to use up. I did use the onion. I could only find 8oz bags of pepperoni so I used a couple of stacks. I could only find 6oz of canadian bacon so I just used that. I started with the 8oz of sauce but I thought the pasta was to dry so I added a whole 15oz can of pizza sauce. Still thought the pasta was dry so I added a 8oz can of tomato sauce. I didn't have Italian herb seasoning so end up using 1 tsp Italian seasoning. I couldn't find shredded montery jack but I did find a 8oz bag of of Kraft mild cheddar & monterey jack cheese so I used that. Overall this was pretty easy and pretty fast. I will make this again except next time I will add some salt to the casserole. I think I may even toss in some sweet sausage next time. Thanks for posting a really good recipe! Christine (internetnut)

[Chef #1271341]

Husband and 14 month old LOVED it! I 86'd the garlic and it tasted just fine.