Baked pasta with tomato sauce, bacon, and mushrooms

Ingredients:

• Cooking oil spray
• 3 cups macaroni, ziti, rigatoni, penne, or shell pasta (I used whole-wheat macaroni)
• 1 cup chopped cooked bacon or bacon bits
• 3 cups pre-made tomato sauce
• 3/4 cup sliced mushrooms, or “stems and pieces”
• 2 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan or “Italian blend” cheese
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/2 tablespoon oregano or Italian seasoning

Note: The garlic powder and oregano/Italian seasoning are optional. As I’ve mentioned before, I like to add them to pre-made tomato sauces, even those that are a labeled as a garlic flavor variety.

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions. When it is mostly cooked, warm the tomato sauce in a separate small pot on low heat.
3. Stir the garlic powder and Italian seasoning/oregano into the sauce.
4. Drain pasta when finished and pour into a large mixing bowl. Add the tomato sauce and stir until the noodles are evenly covered.
5. Mix in the bacon, mushrooms, and 1 cup of the cheese.
6. Lightly coat a glass baking dish (I used a 9-inch x 13-inch) with the cooking spray. Pour in the pasta mixture and level with a spatula or other utensils.
7. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove and top the pasta with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheese. Bake for another 5 minutes.
8. Let cool. If you wish, sprinkle with a bit more Italian seasoning or garlic before serving.