Description
Ingredients
– 12 oz rotini pasta
– 1 lb Italian sausage (or ground beef)
– 1 small onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 cups marinara sauce
– 1 cup ricotta cheese
– 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 12-15 pepperoni slices
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage with the chopped onion until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
6. In the baking dish, layer the cooked pasta, meat sauce, and cheese mixture. Gently stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
7. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and arrange pepperoni slices on top.
8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
### Cooking Tip: Using Italian sausage adds extra flavor, but ground beef or turkey can be substituted for a milder taste.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30