Pizza Pasta Bake

Recipe By: Queen G's Recipes

Serves: 6

​Prep time: 30 minutes

Bake time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

3 - 4 tablespoons tomato paste

1 large red onion, chopped into quarter moons

4 large garlic cloves finely diced

1 package sliced pepperoni (I used turkey, about 200g)

1 sweet green pepper, diced

1 jalapeno, finely chopped

1 jar marinara sauce (about 600ml)

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 pound fusilli pasta

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt + more for pasta water

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute the chopped green pepper and red onion for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt. (Optional: Add in some chopped jalapenos)

   
   

2. Add tomato paste to the saucepan and stir for 1-2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil for 2 minutes. Add the garlic, then stir in the marinara sauce along with all the spices - oregano, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, onion powder, black powder and garlic powder. Bring to a boil, then allow it to simmer for 4 minutes.

   
   

3. Fill a medium-sized pot with water and season generously with salt. Cook the fusilli pasta until al dente.

   
   

4. Once the sauce has simmered, turn off the stove. Stir in the pepperoni and grated Parmesan.

   
   

5. Add the cooked pasta into the sauce, stirring until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water to loosen it.

   
   

6. Preheat the oven to 375F. Grease a 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick spray or olive oil.

   
   

7. Pour the pasta into the prepared dish and spread evenly. Top with mozzarella cheese.

   
   

8. Bake for 15 minutes and garnish with parsley before serving.