I guarantee that if this pizza mac is on the menu, everybody will be at the table come dinnertime! Use any of your favorite pizza toppings. I have used Canadian bacon and pinneapple, and my family really loved that. The combinations are limited only by your imagination.
—KELLY SILVERS EDMOND, OK
PREP: 20 MIN. • COOK: 3 HOURS • MAKES: 8 SERVINGS
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
2 jars (14 ounces each) pasta sauce
1/2 cup water
1 package (8 ounces) sliced pepperoni
3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 can (6 1/2 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 can (6 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Additional pasta sauce, optional
1. Fold two 18-in.-long pieces of foil into two 18x4-in. strips. Line the perimeter of a 5-qt. slow cooker with foil strips; spray with cooking spray.
2. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles. Add pasta; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until edges become translucent. Stir in pasta sauce, water, pepperoni, and half of each of the following: mozzarella cheese, pepper, onion, olives and mushrooms. Transfer the pasta mixture to slow cooker. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese; sprinkle with the remaining vegetables.
3. Cook, covered, on low for 3-4 hours or until pasta is tender. Just before serving, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. If desired, serve with additional pasta sauce.