Thursday, January 17, 2013

Pepperoni pizza pasta bake recipe

English: Stuffed pasta shells with spinach and...
English: Stuffed pasta shells with spinach and ricotta cheese. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Pizza is always a popular dinner in my home, but there are times when the kids and I are simply sick of eating it. If you're looking to break out of the pizza rut, this pasta based recipe should do the trick. Plus the addition of zucchini is a sneaky way to add some extra veggies to your childrens' diets.

PEPPERONI PIZZA PASTA BAKE
  • 2 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/4 cups grated zucchini
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 cups of your favorite red sauce
  • 30 jumbo pasta shells, cooked following the directions
  • 1 small package sliced pepperoni
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine ricotta, zucchini, basil, egg salt and pepper in a large bowl. Stir to combine well. Spread 1 cup of the red sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Fill each shell with the cheese mixture then arrange on top of the sauce. Top with remaining sauce then add pepperoni. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and return to oven until cheese is golden
Cook's Notes
  • If your children like helping you in the kitchen, allow them to add the pepperoni and mozzarella as you layer each in the baking dish.
  • For a meatless meal, simply omit the pepperoni.You may wish to add additional veggies, such as peppers or mushrooms, for a more substantial meal.

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