How to make Italian Hot Dish

Preparing this Italian Hot Dish is straightforward and rewarding. The cooking process primarily involves boiling pasta, sautéing the beef and vegetables, and then layering everything before it goes into the oven.

Ingredients

To create this delightful dish, you will need the following items:

• 1-1/2 cups uncooked multigrain bow tie pasta
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms, divided
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Feel free to substitute the ground beef with lean turkey or a plant-based option for a healthier or vegetarian twist.

Directions

Here’s how to prepare your Italian Hot Dish:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, then drain.
3. In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook and crumble the ground beef with 1/2 cup of mushrooms, onion, and green pepper over medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in the seasonings and tomato sauce, bringing the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.
5. In an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray, place the cooked pasta.
6. Top the pasta with the meat sauce and remaining mushrooms.
7. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.
8. Cover and bake for 35 minutes.
9. Uncover and sprinkle with the remaining cheeses, then bake until heated through and the cheese is melted, about 5-10 minutes.