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Cavatini Pasta

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Ah, Cavatini Pasta! Just the thought of it is enough to get me running to the kitchen to make another batch! It’s quick and easy and perfect for any day of the week!

 

Main image for Cavatini Pasta

 

Is there anything better than tender pasta, ground beef, fresh veggies and pepperoni?  

Well what if you smother the whole thing in a tangy pizza sauce and top it with gooey, melted mozzarella cheese? 

Your favorite pizza and pasta dish, all in one comforting, cheesy casserole. Now that’s what I’m talking about!

You’ll love that you can customize this Cavatini pasta recipe. Swap out the noodles or the meat, and it still tastes amazing!

And with that mozzarella layered through and melted on top? It’s a cheese lover’s dream!

It’s also a complete meal in one dish! Protein, veggies, and carbs. It’s all there!

Pasta Cavatini is perfect for the whole family. It’s a hit with kids and adults alike!

Plus it’s great for leftovers. So your lunches are gonna be awesome!

 

ground beef, onions, garlic and bell peppers in a skillet

 

What is Cavatini Pasta?

Cavatini pasta is a hearty pasta casserole.

It ususally combines different types of pasta with a meaty sauce, vegetables, and loads of cheese.

It might also be called a pizza pasta casserole cause it tastes a lot like pizza in a pasta form.

And of course it’s all baked to perfection. Like gooey cheese golden brown kind of perfection!

If you’re a fan of pizza, try these other Pizza Recipes:

 

Pepperoni, pizza sauce, milk and noodles added to cooked ground beef mixture

 

What Ingredients Are in Cavatini Pasta?

This easy pasta recipe is the only thing you’re gonna want to make this week!

  • Spiral noodles: Any shape works, but spirals hold the sauce well.
  • Ground beef: For a healthier option, you can substitute it with ground turkey.
  • Yellow onion and garlic: The trick is to sauté them until golden.
  • Green bell pepper: Yellow or red pepper would work too if you prefer.
  • Pepperoni: Separate them so they’re throughout the whole pasta
  • Pizza sauce: Or your favorite spaghetti sauce.
  • Milk: A little goes a long way to make the sauce creamy.
  • Mozzarella cheese: Because cheese! The more, the merrier!

Pro Tips:

  • For an even richer flavor, mix in some Italian sausage with the ground beef.
  • Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese alongside the mozzarella for an extra cheesy kick!

 

Pepperoni pizza pasta all mixed up in skillet

 

How to Make Cavatini Pasta

This easy cavatini recipe is definitely going to be one of your favorite recipes!

Here’s how to make it:

  1. Cook pasta until it’s just al dente over medium heat. 
  2. Brown your ground beef with veggies.
  3. Stir in the pepperoni, sauce, and a bit of milk.
  4. Layer half of the mixture in a greased casserole dish, sprinkle with cheesy goodness, then repeat.
  5. Bake until bubbly and golden.

Pro Tips:

  • Don’t skip the cooking spray! It saves you from a world of cleaning hassle later.
  • Different types of pasta are totally okay! A mix of spiral, bow tie, and shell noodles can make the dish fun!

 

1/2 mixture of ground beef mixture in a casserole dish

 

Can I Make Cavatini Pasta Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make this pasta salad casserole ahead of time! 

Assemble the cavatini pasta in your casserole dish but hold off on the final cheese topping. 

Cover it up and store it in the fridge. 

When you’re ready to eat, sprinkle on that cheese and bake. 

It’s a lifesaver for busy days!

I recommend not making it more than 24 hours in advance. 

I find most foods taste the best in that time frame.

 

Mozzarella cheese placed on top of pasta mixture in casserole dish

 

How to Store Leftover Cavatini Pasta

Got leftover cooked pasta? No problem. Cavatini pasta stores super easy! 

Just pop it in an airtight container and refrigerate. 

It’s as good the next day as it was fresh out of the oven!

 

Remaining ground beef mixture placed on top of casserole.

 

How Long Does Cavatini Pasta Last?

Let’s talk leftovers (because, let’s be honest, they’re the best part)! 

In my experience, this pasta casserole can last in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days.

So that means it’s great for meal prep or when you just don’t feel like cooking! 

Just pop it in the microwave, and you’re good to go!

 

extra cheese placed on top of casserole and baked until melted.

 

What to Serve with Cavatini Pasta?

Since this pasta mixture is pretty hearty on its own, I love pairing it with something light on the side. 

A simple green salad or some garlic bread (because who can say no to more carbs?) makes for the perfect meal. 

Here are some recipe ideas to get you started:

 

Spatula scooping a portion of pasta casserole out of dish

 

Is Cavatini a Type of Pasta?

Cavatini isn’t a type of pasta noodle but rather a pasta dish. 

It’s a mix of different pastas.

I prefer spiral noodles, but you can get creative with rotini noodles or even shell noodles. 

Then they are baked in a delicious meat and cheese sauce. 

It’s pretty much what I imagine if pizza and pasta had a delicious baby!

 

Side view of Cavatini Pasta on the plate.

 

Who Created Cavatini Pasta?

Curious about who we have to thank for the original recipe? 

Well the exact origins are a bit murky. Sorry! 

Some say it was popularized by pizza chains like Pizza Hut as a pasta version of their pizza offerings.

Maybe that’s true. Maybe it’s not.

I know it gained popularity as a staple at salad bars and in family kitchens. It’s a crowd pleaser!

So whoever we have to thank, I’m just grateful it exists!

 

Fork holding a portion of pasta up in the air above a plate full

 

Cavatini Pasta is a great new recipe to add to your weeknight rotation! It’s easy, it’s cheesy, and it’s oh-so-delicious! Enjoy!

 

Yield: 6 Servings

Cavatina Pasta

Spatula scooping a portion of pasta casserole out of dish

Discover how to make delicious Cavatini Pasta with this easy recipe! It’s perfect for a comforting and cheesy meal the whole family will love.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350*F
  2. Boil noodles according to package directions, drain & set aside.\In a large skillet or dutch oven, cook ground beef, onions, garlic paste & bell peppers until beef is cooked through and onions and peppers are tender.
  3. Add pepperoni, pizza sauce, milk and noodles to ground beef mixture. Mix well.
  4. Spray a 9x9 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  5. Place 1/2 ground beef mixture in casserole dish then layer with 3/4 cup mozzarella.
  6. Top with remaining ground beef mixture. DO NOT TOP WITH CHEESE.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes.
  8. Remove from oven and top casserole with remaining 3/4 up of cheese.
  9. Bake for 10 more minutes.
  10. Remove and serve immediately.

Notes

You can substitute the ground beef for your favorite ground sausage to change up the flavor or do half ground beef / half ground sausage.

You can add mushrooms to this dish as well.

This dish freezes well. Prepare entire meal as directed but do not bake. Put all cheese on it. Then put lid on casserole dish and freeze. Allow casserole to thaw in fridge for 24 hours before baking OR plan to bake for 1 hour or longer until thawed and cooked through.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 273Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 697mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 17g
Originally Posted: December 22, 2015

Photos & Text Updated: March 11, 2024

 

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Catalina

Monday 18th of March 2024

The Cavatini Pasta recipe was a standout! It was such a fun and tasty way to mix up pasta night at our house!

Sandra

Saturday 16th of March 2024

This was the perfect dinner last night! It was easy to make and turned out really delicious!

Beth

Friday 15th of March 2024

This is my new favorite weeknight meal. All the beef and chees with the noodles was so good!

Gina

Friday 15th of March 2024

This was so hearty and flavorful - the pepperoni made it pop! The whole family loved it!

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