Baked Cavatelli

Ingredients: 7 oz. dried cavatelli or wagon wheel macaroni
12 oz. uncooked Italian sausage links sliced 1/2" thick (or lean ground beef)
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 - 26 oz. jar pasta sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)
1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 375 F.
*Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
*In a large skillet, cook the sausage, onion, and garlic until sausage is brown.
*Remove from skillet and drain.
*In a large bowl, stir together pasta sauce, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and the pepper.
*Add the cooked pasta and the drained sausage mixture.
*Stir gently to combine.
*Spoon mixture into a 2 quart casserole dish.
*Bake covered for 25-30 minutes or until nearly heated through.
*Uncover, sprinkle with rest of 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.
*Bake about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted.
 
Serves 5-6
 
Submitted by: Michelle Meadows Turner