This Pasta Pizza Bake is delicious! Made it for my family last night, and it was a hit! Enjoy!

PASTA PIZZA BAKE

8-ounces of spiral or corkscrew pasta, cooked and drained

1 (7-ounce) stick pepperoni, sliced

½ roll Jimmy Dean Italian sausage (you can find this by the bacon)

1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)

½ cup onion, chopped

3 cloves fresh garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

¼ cup dry red wine, optional

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper

6 to 8 slices fresh mozzarella

Grated Parmesan cheese and fresh thin-sliced basil for garnish

Cook pasta and set aside.  Sauté’ pepperoni in a skillet on medium-high just for 2 to 3 minutes.  It will get crispy fast.  Remove pepperoni and place on paper towels to drain.  Now add Italian sausage to the pepperoni drippings and cook until browned.  Remove sausage and place on paper towels.  Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the grease from the pan and sauté’ onion and mushroom for 2 to 3 minutes.  Add fresh garlic, red wine, seasonings and crushed tomatoes.  Simmer on low for about 10 minutes.  Now add the pasta and Italian sausage to the sauce and stir well.  Remove from heat and place fresh mozzarella slices over top of pasta mixture.  Lastly, place pepperoni slices all around the top.  Broil in an oven for 1 to 2 minutes or just until the mozzarella is melted.  Watch closesly J  Garnish with grated parmesan and fresh basil.