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.
Ingredients
Pizza pasta melts
- 250 g macaroni
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 400 g canned diced tomatoes
- 1/3 cup semi-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped basil, plus extra leaves to serve
- 100 g thinly sliced pepperoni
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella
Steps
Pizza pasta melts
- Preheat oven to hot, 200°C. Lightly grease four 2 cup oven-proof dishes. Place on a large oven tray.
- In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook pasta following packet instructions, until al dente. Drain and return to pan.
- 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.
- Add tomato mixture, pepperoni, spinach and half the cheese to pasta. Toss well and divide between dishes on tray. Sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese.
- Bake 12-15 minutes, until cheese melts and is golden. Scatter with extra basil, to serve.