Ingredients

• 2- 3 cups macaroni or penne noodles
• 1 jar favorite tomato pasta sauce
• 1 – 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
• 8 ounces mushroom slices
• 1 green or red bell pepper, sliced thin
• 1 tablespoon oregano and basil spices
• Optional: 1 cup thinly sliced red or sweet onion
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ – ¾ cups pepperoni slices (or more to taste)

Directions

1.  Heat oven to 350 F.
2. Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking oil.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain; return to bowl. Add pasta sauce & mix together.
4. Cook beef until brown, about 5-7 minutes in a deep pasta pan. Drain and add pasta and sauce.
5. In a skillet, heat olive oil and add mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, and spices. Cook until soft, approximately 7 minutes.
6. Stir vegetables into pasta/sauce/beef mixture. Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Pour into prepared baking dish.
7. Top with pepperoni slices and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
8. Spray a foil sheet with cooking oil and cover the baking dish, spray side down.
9. Bake 25-30 minutes or until heated thoroughly and cheese topping is melted.
10. Remove foil, let rest 5 minutes then serve.
11. This dish is excellent for re-heating in the oven with the foil covering.