Hood Reunion Casserole
Embrace the ultimate comfort food experience with the Hood Reunion Casserole—a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or Sunday dinners. This layered masterpiece combines savory ground beef and Italian sausage with tender pasta, a rich tomato-based sauce, and a gooey trio of Mozzarella, Cheddar, and Parmesan cheese. Bursting with the flavors of Italian seasoning, garlic, and a hint of optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, this casserole is baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Ready in just about an hour, this recipe is as simple to prepare as it is satisfying to devour. Serve it warm, garnished with fresh parsley, and watch it become an instant family favorite. Your next go-to dish for “recipes for feeding a crowd” or “easy casserole dinners” starts here!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound Italian sausage
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cups cooked short pasta (e.g., elbow macaroni or penne)
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Stir in the minced garlic, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
In the meantime, cook your pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In the prepared casserole dish, create a layer by spreading half of the cooked pasta at the bottom. Top with half of the meat sauce and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Mozzarella and 1/2 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese over the sauce.
Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, and cheeses. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Serve warm, and enjoy this comforting, flavorful Hood Reunion Casserole!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4716 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 273.0 g | 350% | |
| Saturated Fat | 118.4 g | 592% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 13.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 818 mg | 273% | |
| Sodium | 8362 mg | 364% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 313.3 g | 114% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 33.4 g | 119% | |
| Total Sugars | 60.6 g | ||
| Protein | 265.3 g | 531% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.9 mcg | 14% | |
| Calcium | 3161 mg | 243% | |
| Iron | 28.5 mg | 158% | |
| Potassium | 4966 mg | 106% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
