Thursday, February 25, 2010

Cavatini

If you're looking for a bowl of rich and hearty goodness, then this dish is right up your alley.  This is one of our (many) favorite pasta meals. It’s just a little bit spicy (because I add extra crushed red pepper flakes) with a whole lot of deliciousness.  With the cheesy goodness and the aroma of the pepperoni you'll want to go grab a plate.  Serve it with an Italian or Caesar salad, some freshly toasted garlic bread and your favorite bottle of wine for a fantastic comforting meal.




Cavatini

1 lb. ground beef or sausage or combination of ground and sausage
1 small onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, I add extra
1 teaspoon oregano
3&1/2 ounces pepperoni, you can add whole or slice, I use Boars Head
1/2 cup Each - 3 different types of pasta
15 1/2 ounce jar spaghetti sauce, I used can of organic crushed tomatoes
8 ounces small curd cottage cheese
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and reserve a 9 X 13-inch ovenproof baking dish. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the garlic,onion and green pepper. Drain any excess liquid and reserve. Add spaghetti sauce and remainder seasonings to the browned meat and stir. Add pepperoni simmer for 15 - 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the pastas as directed on the package and drain.

Place cooked pasta into a 9- inch by 13-inch ovenproof baking dish. Top pasta with 1/2 of meat mixture, spoon all the cottage cheese over the sauce. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese over the cottage cheese. Repeat layers, omitting the cottage cheese and ending with the mozzarella cheese.

 Bake for 30 minutes.

Try adding some of your favorite veggies to compliment this dish.  You can even add a layer of ricotta as well.  Have fun with this one.

Enjoy!

18 comments:

  1. This looks delicious...what a great weeknight dinner that will please everyone!! I like the idea of an assortment of noodles.

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  2. Following you from Friday Follow. Please join me for more Following fun at Trendy Treehouse.

    http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2010/02/follow-me-fridays-blog-hop.html

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  3. Hi just stopping in to say Hi from Friday Follow!

    Happy Friday!

    Tami
    www.heartsmakefamilies.com

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  4. I am a new follower from Friday follow. Hope you come by and follow me too.

    You have a very nice blog! That dish looks great!

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  5. This looks like comfort food! My dad used to make cavatini, but I must say I believe yours may be better than his. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. yum yum yum! This is the perfect meal for a day like today in the northeast. cozy food :)

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  7. I am SOOOO hungry now!!! That looks great, I'll have to try it!

    Happy Friday! Thank Goodness it's almost the weekend, huh? I'm here from Friday Follow, and I'm your newest follower!

    I'd love if you's check out my blog too!

    Thanks!
    Shannon
    http://www.milkandcuddles.com/

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  8. This looks so hearty and warming. Perfect for this freezing rainy weather here. What would a great pasta meal be without a good bottle of red? Love it!

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  9. Yum, that looks fabulous. Great photography! Happy FF! I am your newest follower.

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  10. Hello, Glad to have found your blog! Your making me hungry, thank you for sharing :)

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  11. Love this recipe! Sounds so yummy! Love ya!

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  12. Hi! I'm following from Follow Friday and this sounds delicious! I used to make a cavatini, but stopped for some reason. Looking forward to pouring over your recipes with a cup of tea--I'll be back!
    Blessings,
    Wendy www.faithfultojesus.blogspot.com
    Faith's Firm Foundation (come visit me!)

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  13. oooh, i love the pepperoni in there! great post, our family would go nuts for this!

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  14. I love pasta! and extra red pepper flakes make is great!

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  15. Ooh that looks SO comforting. This winter will be the end of me but recipes like this one will get me through it!

    http://meatandpotatoesfoodie.blogspot.com/

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  16. Yum, sounds like a great weeknight meal!
    ~ingrid

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  17. Madre mia, this is my idea of comfort food! I'm book-marking this one to try.

    Maria
    x

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