Italian Meats and Poultry Recipes - Pepperoni-Penne Bake

Ingredients                      

• Nonstick cooking spray cups dried penne pasta

• 3 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced and quartered

• 2 medium green or red sweet peppers, cut into thin, bite-size strips

• 6 ounces sliced pepperoni or Canadian-style bacon, cut up

• 6  cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil

• 1 26- to 29-ounce jar (3 cups) marinara pasta sauce

• 1 1/4 cups shredded Italian-blend cheese (5 ounces)

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Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 3-quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set dish aside. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain well. Return pasta to hot saucepan.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook mushrooms, onion, sweet peppers, pepperoni, and garlic in hot oil for 3 minutes. Add vegetable mixture and marinara sauce to pasta; toss to coat. Spread pasta mixture evenly in prepared baking dish.

3. Bake, covered, about 25 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted.