Pizza Pasta Toss and Bake

a "bake"

Not to be confused with "salmon bake" or "clam bake" or any other seafood event that, let's face it, I just would not be interested in.  I like my seafood deep-fried, with the occasional grilled shrimp thrown in for good measure.

And I really don't get the whole salmon thing.  I wish I could like it.  I just can't.  We have right-out-of-the-Russian-River red salmon in our freezer and the only time I make it for Scott is when I've stuffed myself with too much candy throughout the afternoon and I just have no appetite for dinner.

I'll end the seafood tangent now and move onto a more interesting kind of "bake".  Pizza.

I adore pizza.  I could eat it everyday.  I don't even know that I have a favorite.  I even love the frozen stuff.  Lately, I'm into Papa John's with green pepper, onion, and mushroom.  Moose's Tooth is good also, of course (I need to throw that in before the locals hunt me down).

This recipe combines whole-wheat pasta with all of the goodness you'd find in a pizza.  It's tossed together on the stove, topped with cheese, and broiled 'til bubbly.  It's much lighter than a pizza casserole.  The focus is on the "toppings" instead of the heavy cheeses and sauces.  The spinach?  Well, that means you can eat as much as you want because it's healthy. 

Hmm..maybe I should call it the "toss and broil".  Oh well...

Pizza Pasta Toss and Bake
fills an 8x8 casserole dish

half a box (8 oz.) of whole wheat spaghetti, or linguine, or penne, etc.
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1 cup grape tomato halves
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1/4 cup diced onion
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 cup pasta sauce
1/2 cup diced pepperoni
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded parmesan

Cook the pasta according to package directions and set aside.

Pre-heat the broiler.

Heat 2 T. of olive oil in a high-sided frying pan.  Keeping on low heat, cook the garlic and onion for a few minutes.  Add the peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, pepperoni, and spinach.  Cook for about 5 minutes.  Add the pasta sauce.  Toss in the cooked noodles.  When everything in combined, pour it into an 8x8 casserole dish.  Top with cheeses.  Broil until golden-brown and bubbly on top.  

 Shared at:  Mouthwatering Monday
Totally Tasty Tuesdays 
Cast Party Wednesday
This Chick Cooks