Baked Pizza Pasta

Kids love this one!  Pizza in a pot, as I like to call it. 

An easy, family supper that is great for kids and parents alike.

 

 

So the kids and I {and the hubs for part of it} were gone for a week over Christmas break.  It was fun and exhausting at the same time.  We hopped across the state over 7 days and visited three different sets of families.  The kids love this type of adventure and I do too.....until we get home.

 

Everyone has been on overload for days on end and getting back into a routine is down right awful.  Not to mention the 4,398 gifts that were bestowed upon us and somehow have to fit in our very small house.  I love Christmas, but I'm learning to not love gifts {unless they are small!}.  I don't mean to act like Scrooge, but there is more to Christmas than gifts.  I'd prefer just spending time together.

 

My extended family changed the rules this year.  We played the $20 gift exchange game.  {I only had to buy one present!}.  Our "theme" was Food & Drink and I came home with an awesome bottle of extra virgin olive oil, a dispenser and four neat serving dishes.  Right up my alley!

 

It took me several days to get the house back in order {Did I mention our dryer died during all of this too?  My house looks like a laundromat with all the clothes hanging around}.  And now that we are finally a bit settled the cold and snow decided to come back like the devil and the kids haven't had school the past two days.  Ugh!

 

 

The first night we got back I made this pasta.  We were in desperate of a decent meal.  For the past week we had been snacking and eating on the go.  I was craving a hearty warm meal and a nice crisp salad.  I'm pretty sure this one hit the spot!

 

In case you are wondering I used this homemade dressing on our salad.  It has become a favorite!

 

I filled this dish with our favorite pizza toppings - mushrooms, pepperoni, black olives and sausage.  You can fill it with whatever you want, I am not a recipe Nazi, do what you want!  Peppers, onions, ground beef, whatever works for you.

 

This dish is also a great one to make ahead and freeze or take to a friend needing a nice home cooked meal.  Maybe they have a new baby or have been sick.  It will be sure to please!

Baked Pizza Pasta
Print this Recipe!

8 oz. penne pasta
8 oz. mozzarella cheese
1/4 c. parmesan cheese
1/2 lb. cooked ground sausage
1 c. sliced black olives
4 oz. sliced pepperoni
1 c. sliced mushrooms
1 jar of marinara sauce

1.  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2.  In a small pot cook pasta for HALF of the required cooking time.  The pasta will not be done, but will finish cooking in the oven.  Set drained pasta aside in a large bowl.
3.  Add other ingredients to the bowl, minus the mozzarella cheese and half of the pepperoni.
4.  Pour mixture into a greased baking dish and top with cheese and remaining pepperoni.
5.  Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

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You HAVE to take advantage of this.

You can thank me later.

Have a great hump day!