Ingredients
1
lb uncooked ziti or other tubular pasta
1/2
lb bulk Italian sausage
1
medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1
medium green bell pepper, chopped
2
cloves garlic, finely chopped
2
cans (15 oz each) pizza sauce
8
slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1/2
package (3.5-oz size) sliced pepperoni
2
cups shredded Italian cheese blend (8 oz)
Preparation
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 3-quart casserole with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package using minimum cook time. Return to saucepan.
Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, cook and stir sausage, onion, bell pepper and garlic over medium-high heat about 7 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink and onion is softened. Stir in pizza sauce, bacon and pepperoni. Pour mixture over cooked pasta; stir. Spoon half of pasta mixture (about 4 cups) into casserole. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese. Spoon remaining pasta mixture on top.
Bake 30 minutes; top with remaining 1 cup of cheese. Bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or until hot and cheese is melted and bubbly.
