Using Baked Penne As Pizza Toppings

This is what happens when I have one small pizza crust on hand and four people to feed. I felt like eating my favorite pizza toppings, but I knew my kids wouldn’t go for it. I ended up baking the kiddos their favorite cheese & ham pizza. My husband and I ate this baked penne recipe & it turned out wonderfully. It tasted even better for lunch the next day.

HERE’S ALL I DID TO MAKE IT

• 3 cups Penne, cooked according to package, drained
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
• 2 cups frozen spinach, thawed & squeezed dry
• 1/4 cup bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt & pepper
• 1/3 cup green pepper, chopped
• 1/3 cup onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1-2 pepperocini peppers, chopped
• 2 cups Kraft Italian blend cheese (Parmesan, Romano, Mozzarella, Provolone)

Preheat oven 350F degrees. Prepare penne pasta. Mix chopped green pepper, onion, tomatoes, and pepperoncinis in one bowl and set aside. Spray casserole dish (13×9 inch) with nonstick spray. Pour spaghetti sauce on bottom, spread spinach and half the bacon, evenly over sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Taking care that the cooked pasta is drained well, drizzle with olive oil and toss. Layer pasta over spinach. Pour mixed chopped vegetables over pasta. Add a pinch of salt & pepper over vegetables. Top with Italian cheese blend. BAKE 30 minutes.