Name: Pizza pasta melts
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 250 gram macaroni; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 clove garlic, crushed; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 400 gram canned diced tomatoes; 1/3 cup semi-dried tomatoes; 1/2 cup roughly chopped basil, plus extra leaves to serve; 100 gram thinly sliced pepperoni; 1 cup baby spinach leaves; 1 1/2 cup grated mozzarella

Pizza pasta melts

This recipe combines two of our favourite things - the flavours of cheesy, meaty pizza, and comforting macaroni pasta. This delicious fusion makes a brilliant family dinner for kids and adults alike.

Serves 4

Prep

15M

Cook

30M

Total

45M

Ingredients

250 gram macaroni

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 clove garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon tomato paste

400 gram canned diced tomatoes

1/3 cup semi-dried tomatoes

1/2 cup roughly chopped basil, plus extra leaves to serve

100 gram thinly sliced pepperoni

1 cup baby spinach leaves

1 1/2 cup grated mozzarella

Method

1.Preheat oven to hot, 200°C. Lightly grease four 2 cup oven-proof dishes. Place on a large oven tray.

2.In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook pasta following packet instructions, until al dente. Drain and return to pan.

3.Meanwhile, in a medium frying pan, heat oil on medium. Saute onion 4-5 minutes until tender. Stir in garlic, then tomato paste and cook 1-2 minutes. Add all tomatoes and bring to simmer. Remove from heat, stir basil through and season.

4.Add tomato mixture, pepperoni, spinach and half the cheese to pasta. Toss well and divide between dishes on tray. Sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese.

5.Bake 12-15 minutes, until cheese melts and is golden. Scatter with extra basil, to serve.

Pasta bakes make easy freezer meals to have on hand over the winter months. Just make sure to cool completely, transfer to freezer safe airtight container and label with the date before freezing.
Note

Woman's Weekly Food

Ingredients

Method

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