Shelly's Recipe

* Pizza Casserole Deluxe *

Category: Casseroles - Pork

Yield: Makes 10 servings
1 (1-lb.) package ground mild Italian sausage
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (26-oz.) jar marinara sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 medium-size red onion, chopped
1/2 medium-size red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 (8-oz.) package sliced baby portobello mushrooms
1 cup sliced black olives
1/2 cup pepperoni slices, chopped
1 (16-oz.) package rigatoni pasta
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups half-and-half
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, shredded (2 cups)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (8-oz.) package shredded mozzarella cheese
8 to 10 pepperoni slices

Preheat oven to 350. Cook sausage and garlic in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes or until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink. Remove with a slotted spoon, reserving drippings in skillet. Drain sausage mixture on paper towels, and transfer to a medium bowl. Stir marinara sauce and 1/2 tsp. salt into sausage mixture.

Saute onion and next 3 ingredients in hot drippings 5 minutes or until tender; stir in olives and chopped pepperoni. Reserve 1/4 cup onion mixture.

Prepare pasta according to package directions in a large Dutch oven.

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in half-and-half; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 7 to 10 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in fresh mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, pepper, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt. Pour sauce over pasta in Dutch oven, stirring to coat. Stir in onion mixture.

Transfer pasta mixture to a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish, and top with sausage mixture, packaged mozzarella cheese, reserved 1/4 cup onion mixture, and pepperoni slices.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.