Cavatina

Prep: 20 min Cook: 45 min Serves: 8 Cuisine: Italian

Cavatina is a hearty, layered pasta casserole featuring a blend of tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, colorful vegetables, and melty cheese, all topped with savory Italian sauce. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, it offers rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 6 cups Italian cooking sauce
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 can sliced mushrooms
  • 1 package sliced pepperoni
  • 1 package grated mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces mixed pasta (at least 4 different types)

Instructions

  1. Mix the different pasta types together and cook in boiling water until tender.
  2. While pasta is cooking, brown the ground beef in a skillet.
  3. Remove beef from skillet and use drippings to saute the sliced bell pepper and onion until tender.
  4. Add the sliced mushrooms and heat thoroughly.
  5. Drain off excess drippings from the vegetables.
  6. In a large casserole dish, layer the cooked pasta, vegetables, beef, sliced pepperoni, grated mozzarella cheese, and Italian sauce.
  7. Repeat the layers, ending with a top layer of cheese.
  8. Bake at 350°F until thoroughly heated and the cheese is melted.
  9. Serve with French bread and a green salad.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

437 kcal 22% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 27.1g 54% DV
Total Fat 26.5g 34% DV
Carbs 22.5g 8% DV
Fiber 1.3g 5% DV
Sugar 3.7g 7% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 960.8mg 42% DV
Potassium 496mg 11% DV
Cholesterol 63mg 21% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 107mcg 12% DV
Vitamin C 32.9mg 37% DV
Vitamin D 7mcg 35% DV
Calcium 393.8mg 30% DV
Iron 2.7mg 15% DV

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Italian recipes → Beef recipes → Dairy recipes → All recipes →