Ingredients
- 1 green bell pepper – chopped
- 1 yellow onion (chopped)
- 2 cups pepperoni – sliced and quartered
- 16 oz fresh mushrooms – sliced
- 1 can tomato paste
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 clove garlic – peeled and minced
- 1 cup rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup rotini pasta
- 1 cup macaroni
- 1 lb ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese – shredded and divided
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
Cavatini is a classic baked Italian pasta dish. While it has the reputation of being classic Italian, some would argue that the pepperoni used in the Cavatini is entirely American, as pepperoni is an American made salami. If you’re worried about having a truly authentic Italian dining experience, then simply replace the pepperoni with your preferred Italian salami; after all pepperoni is simply a spicy salami variation. Regardless of which side of the “Real Italian” debate you stand on, this dish is still delicious.
Health Benefits
Like most pasta dishes that we love, everything is dependent on the sauce. This cavatini uses a tomato based sauce prepared from tomato paste. Tomato paste is essentially concentrated tomatoes, so it contains the same health benefits as tomatoes. Regularly consuming tomato paste can help relieve diabetes, skin problems, urinary tract infections, and improve digestion. Tomatoes also improve blood circulation, lower cholesterol levels, and help the body detoxify by protecting vital organs like the kidneys.
Nutrition
Per Serving:
476 calories
25.9 g fat
36.6 g carbohydrates
24.2 g protein
66 mg cholesterol
1235 mg sodium
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How to Make Cavatini
Trivia In the 1970's Pizza Hut was well known for its cavatini. |
