Cavatini

In the year 2001, I collected recipes from church friends and put those together in a cookbook that was used to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. My friend Lori has a daughter with CF, so she is always looking for ways to raise money to contribute for research. I asked everyone to contribute some of their very best recipes to the book.

One of the recipes that Lori contributed that I had never made until just this week was for Cavatini. It was delicious. I tweaked the recipe a little based on the ingredients that I had on hand.   In the original recipe, Lori used a combination of hamburger and sausage, canned mushrooms instead of fresh, and half the spaghetti sauce, but I added a can of Italian tomato sauce.  Either way you make it, it will be a delicious family, company, or potluck meal!

Cavatini

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound spiral noodles
• 1/2 bag wagon wheel pasta
• 2 pounds ground beef (or 1 pound ground beef & 1 pound sausage)
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 small container of mushrooms (or use 1 large can)
• 1 package pepperoni, diced (I used a large package)
• 2 (24-ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
• 1 or more packages Mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Cook pasta and drain.

Brown beef, onion, green pepper, and mushrooms; drain.

Add pepperoni and spaghetti sauce.

Cook until bubbly.

Layer pasta in 9×13 dish; pour sauce over.

Top with cheese.

Bake at 350 °F for 15 minutes or until cheese starts to brown.