GROUND BEEF PIZZA CASSEROLE

• GROUND BEEF PIZZA CASSEROLE

 INGREDIENTS:
 

1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
salt
3 -4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 lb pepperoni, divided
1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
4 cups pasta sauce
3 -4 cups rigatoni (cooked to firm-tender and drained, do not overcook the pasta)
4 cups mozzarella cheese, divided 

1. Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the gound beef in a medium skillet with the onions, green peppers, garlic, salt pepper until meat is browned and veggies are tender; drain fat, and mix in the Parmesan cheese.
3. Stir in the 1/2-pound pepperoni (chop this pepperoni to add to the mixture, leave the remaining half pound pepperoni sliced), mushrooms, pasta sauce; stir well until combined; simmer for 20-25 minutes on top of stove.
4. Set oven to 350 degrees.
5.  Place the cooked rigatoni pasta on the bottom of the greased baking dish.
6. Sprinkle with 2 cups mozzarella cheese over the pasta.
7.  Layer with pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese.Top with the ground beef/pasta sauce mixture.
8. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
9.  Remove from oven, sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese. Return to oven and bake for 10 minutes longer, or until bubbly.
10. Let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving.