Wagon Wheel Casserole

Luckytrim

Grill Master
Gold Site Supporter
Wagon Wheel Casserole

8 ounces uncooked wagon wheel macaroni (about 3 1/2 cups)
1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage, hot or mild
2 3/4 c. marinara sauce
1/2 c. sliced black olives
1 (4 ounce) can mushroom pieces and stems, drained
1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)

Heat oven to 350º. Prepare the wagon wheels as directed on package; drain. Cook sausage in a skillet, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; drain.
Mix macaroni, sausage, pasta sauce, olives and mushrooms in 2 1/2-quart casserole.
Cover and bake about 30 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven for about 5 minutes more, or until cheese is melted.
 

QSis

Grill Master
Staff member
Gold Site Supporter
Okay, now here is an example of my question as to "why bake"?

I love macaroni and cheese, but after mixing all the cooked and melted stuff together on top of the stove, why do I have to bake it? It dries out and gets harder, chewier.

Lucky's mixture sounds delicious, but why wouldn't I just mix the cooked sausage with the cooked pasta, sauce, mushrooms and olives and heat through? Top with cheese at the table.

Saves a step and doesn't dry out the pasta.

Lee
 

Doc

Administrator
Staff member
Gold Site Supporter
I like the crust that baking puts on our homemade mac and cheese. I expect baking would give this a little of that crust also. Sounds good to me. :thumb:
 
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