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HOW TO MAKE PIZZA PASTA

Preparation Time: Approximately 2 Hours: (including preparation and cooling time) Pizza Pasta, also known as Pasta Pepperoni, is a recipe passed down through my mothers side of the family. Originally, it was used as a casserole to feed her and four sisters throughout the week, but now works as a poor mans dinner. Upon living alone, a young adult has to learn to cook without time, money, and most importantly mom. The following recipe will help save both time and money, and hopefully give you that home-cooked feeling we all cherish. Unlike most pasta dishes, which lack meat or poultry, Pizza Pasta will fill ones stomach with glorious ground beef, fresh pepperoni, and a tasty mixture of spices. Another fun note to this recipe is that it continues to adapt to the consumer. For instance, a spicy lover can add Italian sausage with jalapeno pepper, which will instantly give ones pallet a run for its money. Make sure to stay creative, have fun, and make plenty of leftovers! The recipe will recreate the original dish that has made birthday parties easy, family gatherings traditional, and a college student well fed. The following steps and pictures will assist anyone over the age of 13, and will help bring two famous Italian dishes together; Pizza and Pasta! It sounds great and tastes even better, so lets get to cooking!

STOP! SAFETY FIRST!

WARNING: Please read the following warnings before you begin this recipe. Pizza pasta uses a number of kitchen objects that can and will hurt the chef if not used correctly. Please do not operate any of the following tasks if you are under the age of 13. It is strongly recommended that parental guidance will assist younger chefs while using the stove, oven, and sharp knives. To prevent serious injury, use a cutting board and gloves while chopping up ground beef, pepperoni, and other objects. Also, mittens should be used while taking anything out of the oven, and the fire alarm should be turned on.

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MATERIALS
Measuring cup (1 cup & cup) Straight edge & curved spatula Serrated knife Casserole dish Aluminum foil Large sized pot Colander Table salt Tablespoon Cutting board Large sized pan Large mixing bowl Oven-mitts

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INGREDIENTS

1 Pound Ground Meat Pound Pepperoni 2 Cups Mozzarella 48 Ounces Spaghetti Sauce 1 Cup Cavatappi 1 Cup Bow Ties 1 Cup Elbow

Note: The casseroles Pasta can be any three different types of shape

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Preparing the Mixing Bowl

1. Cut the pound of pepperoni in quarters using the serrated knife and cutting board.

Note: Remember to be very careful using a knife. Use rubber gloves if you would like to take extra precaution.

Pepperoni sliced into four even sections

2. Turn one of the burners on your stove to medium (number 5 in this case), and place the large pan directly on it.

Over burner on medium heat

3. Place the pound of ground meat on the hot pan. Chop the meat with the flat edge spatula while it cooks. For best results, cover the pan with a lid to allow for better cooked meat. Keep the burner on medium heat, and cook until the meat turns brown.

Chopped ground meat

Added cover to optimize cooking

Finished cooked meat (brown)

Edgar 5 Note: Please wash your hands after handling the ground meat. Disease can occur, and the final dish will be contaminated. It is also important to wash the spatula and dishes that are used while cooking the ground meat.

Sponge and soap to wash contaminated dishes

4. Turn on another burner to high heat and place the large pot (half filled with water) on it.

Burner on high heat to boil water

5. Add a tablespoon of salt to the boiling water. The salt will keep the noodles from sticking together and create the most optimum texture.

Added salt to bowling water

6. Measure out 1 cups of each type of pasta (cavatappi, bow ties, and elbows). Dump the combined pasta into the bowling water.

Edgar 6 Note: Be careful adding the salt and pasta into the boiling water. Serious burns can occur while stirring the pasta.

Tip: Leave the burner temperature on medium high to cook the pasta. This will usually take around 10 minutes to cook, and will overflow of water in the pot.

Cooking pasta on medium high

7. Drain the ground meat in the colander until most of the water has saturated out. Dump the dried ground meat into the mixing bowl, and immediately wash out the colander for pasta use.

Drained ground meat

Wash meat contaminated dishes

8. Once the pasta is fully cooked, drain it into the clean colander until the water has saturated out. Add the three-shaped pasta into the mixing bowl.

Drained 3-shaped pasta

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9. Add the chopped pepperoni and two 24 ounce tomato sauce jars to the mixing bowl.

Mixed ingredients into large bowl

10. Mix the bowl thoroughly for 5 minutes, or until the ingredients are distributed evenly.

Evenly distributed ingredients

Creating the Casserole

1. Fill the casserole dish halfway with the mixed ingredients. Measure 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and evenly spread it on top of the first layer.

Half-filled dish with ingredients

First layer of mozzarella cheese

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2. Repeat the same step and create a second layer, filling the casserole dish to the top, with another lining of cheese (1 cup).

Second layer of ingredients with mozzarella topping

3. Place a strip of aluminum foil over the casserole dish and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Casserole dish with aluminum foil covering

Preheated oven to 350 degrees

Note: At this point, place the remaining mixed ingredients in a closed container (aluminum foil dish) and store it in the freezer. When needed, the container can be defrosted and placed in the oven, while following the rest of the instruction set.

Aluminum foil leftover container

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4. When the oven is preheated, place the casserole dish inside and set the kitchen timer to 45 minutes.

Note: Remember to use to the oven-mitts when operating an oven to avoid serious burns. Stand as far back as possible when opening the oven door.

Oven-mitts and covered casserole

5. When the timer goes off, use the oven mitts and take out the finished Pizza Pasta casserole. Remember to turn the oven off as soon as possible, and let the casserole cool for at least 5 minutes.

Final Pizza Pasta casserole

Tip: To stay clean and keep your roommates/family happy, wash the dishes while the casserole cools.

Dirty dishes used for cooking process

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Bon Appetit

Serving size for a delicious dinner!

Serving Suggestions
This recipe can easily serve a family of 6 for dinner with plenty of leftovers. More importantly, it is a cheap 5 day dinner for a college student. It can be served as a side pasta dish, or as a main entre, shown under the Bon Appetit section.