1. Preheat your oven to 350 F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with a little olive oil or non-stick spray.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente. You don’t want it too soft because it’s going to do a bit more cooking in the oven.
3. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Sauté the diced onion until translucent, then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
4. Add the Italian sausage or ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
5. Stir in the pizza sauce, drained diced tomatoes, oregano, and basil. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes to meld those flavors together real nice.
6. Combine the cooked pasta and meaty sauce mixture in the skillet, and then pour it all into the prepared baking dish.
7. Sprinkle the top with the shredded mozzarella, then scatter the pepperonis like you’re planting a pepperoni garden, and finish with a shower of Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese melts and everything’s bubbling like a hot spring of deliciousness.
9. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving – if you can wait that long!
Variations & Tips:
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