Pasta Fazool Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 pound hot or sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
• 1 28–ounce can Italian plum tomatoes, drained, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 15–ounce can kidney beans, rinsed, drained
• Salt and pepper
• 1 pound mostaccioli pasta, freshly cooked
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 12 ounces Fontina or provolone, grated

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Sauté first 6 ingredients in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat until sausage and beef are brown, crumbling with fork, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato paste and cayenne and simmer 5 minutes, breaking up tomatoes with back of spoon. Add kidney beans and heat through. Season with salt and pepper. Add mostaccioli, Parmesan and parsley and toss to combine. Transfer to 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese melts, about 30 minutes.