Italian Hot Dish is a simple and delicious baked pasta. This dish has very simple ingredients and does not take long to prepare. The time really comes in because you need to let the sauce develop the flavors to become nice and rich and then the bake time.
Italian Hot Dish is great to serve to company because you can make the entire meal before they arrive and keep it on warm in the oven. I like to keep the sides simple with a salad, bread or steamed vegetables.
I originally found this recipe in my Taste of Home Light and Tasty 2007 Annual Recipes Cookbook.
Stove Top and Oven
Recipe serves: 4
Serving size: 1/4 of dish
Total time: 1 hour
Let's grocery shop!
I am assuming you have salt and pepper. It is not included in pantry and spices.
Pantry & Spices
-
garlic powder
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onion powder
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dried oregano
-
dried basil
Grocery
-
1 - box small shell pasta
-
1 - green pepper
-
1 - pound ground beef
-
1 - onion
-
1 - sliced mushrooms
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1 - can tomato sauce 15 oz
-
1 - block mozzarella cheese
-
1 - parmesan cheese
Tip from me
If I am feeling a little spicy I will add a can of diced tomatoes and green chilies as well as red pepper flakes. Experiment with ingredients you like!
Let's prep!
| 1 ~ 1/2 cups small pasta shells, uncooked |
| 1 pound ground beef |
| 1 cup sliced mushrooms, divided |
| 1/2 cup chopped onion |
| 1/2 cup chopped green pepper |
| 1 can tomato sauce 15 oz |
| 1 teaspoon dried basil |
| 1 teaspoon dried oregano |
| 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder |
| 1/4 teaspoon onion powder |
| 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt |
| 1/4 teaspoon pepper |
| 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided |
| 4 teaspoons grated parmesan cheese, divided |
- Gather all of your ingredients and measuring tools
- Chop and place in skillet with ground beef:
- 1/2 cup onion
- 1/2 cup green pepper
- 1/2 cup mushrooms
- Add the following spices to a prep bowl:
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Slice 1/2 cup mushrooms then set aside.
- If you bought block mozzarella cheese then grate 1/2 cup and set aside
Let's cook!
- Complete the prep from the prep tab above.
- Cook 1.5 cups of pasta to package directions
- Brown beef and vegetables until the beef is brown; drain if needed.
- Add the tomato sauce and spices then bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium low; cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350° F
- Spray the 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray or use oil with a napkin. Then add in this order:
- Drain and add the pasta.
- Meat sauce.
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 teaspoons grated parmesan cheese
- Cover and bake for 35 minutes then uncover and add 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 2 teaspoons grated parmesan cheese.
- Continue to bake uncovered for 5 – 10 minutes. Enjoy!
This recipe can also be found in Weekly Dinners for 2 under $45 – Menu 1
