Cavantini

Cavantini is a great recipe to make if you don't have a lot of time. It is economical and easy on the pocketbook. If you are rally short on time, you can skip making the meat sauce and use a large jar of spaghetti sauce with meat. 

Ingredients

2 1/2 c. rigatoni or other noodles, cooked and drained
1 lb. ground beef
1 sweet pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 can mushrooms
3/4 c. water
1 bay leaf
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
pepperoni (optional)

Directions

Fill a large pot with water. Bring to a boil. Cook rigatoni or other noodles according to package directions.  Drain.

In a heavy cast iron skillet, brown the ground beef, pepper and onion together until the hamburger is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender.  Drain off excess grease.

Mix in the oregano, pepper, garlic powder, salt, tomato paste, tomato sauce, mushrooms, water and bay leaf.  Bring to a boil.  Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.  Remove the bay leaf. 

In a 9 x 13-inch pan, put the meat sauce on the bottom.  Then add the noodles for the next layer. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and add the pepperoni over the top.

Bake at 375° for 30 to 40 minutes.