Cavatini recipe

Cavatini recipe is one of those comfort meals that never gets old. It’s easy to customize, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy nights when you still want something homemade. With layers of pasta, sauce, cheese, and bold flavors, this dish comes together with minimal effort but tastes like you spent hours on it.

This cavatini pasta is the perfect mix of comfort and convenience. Made with three types of pasta, a rich tomato-based sauce, savory pepperoni, and plenty of melted cheese, it’s a hearty baked dish that comes together with minimal effort. It’s ideal for weeknight dinners, feeding a crowd, or preparing ahead for busy days. The combination of textures and flavors makes every bite satisfying, while the flexibility of the ingredients means you can easily customize it to your taste.
You can also add browned Italian sausage or ground beef for the best flavors.

Ingredients

• 3 cups mixed pasta (spiral, shell, and bowtie)
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce
• ¾ to 1 bag pepperoni slices
• ½ to 1 yellow onion, diced
• ½ cup diced bell pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Italian-style shredded cheese blend
• Cooking spray (for greasing dish)

How to make Cavatini Recipe at home

Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil and adding your mixed pasta. You’re going to cook it for about 7 minutes, just until it’s slightly tender but not overdone. Once that’s ready, go ahead and drain the noodles.

Pour your cooked noodles into a large mixing bowl. Add in your jar of spaghetti sauce and give it a quick mix so everything is coated.

Next, add your pepperoni slices. If they’re sticking together, just separate them as you go so they’re evenly spread throughout the dish. Then toss in your diced onion and optional bell pepper.

For flavor, add your Italian seasoning and minced garlic. Give everything a really good mix so all those flavors come together.

Lightly spray your baking dish (8×8, 9×9, or 9×13 depending on your portion). Pour the pasta mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.

Now for the best part……. cheese! Sprinkle mozzarella all over the top, followed by your Italian cheese blend. Don’t hold back here.

Place the dish into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 30–35 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.

Let it cool for a few minutes before serving—and that’s it.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with garlic bread for the ultimate comfort meal
• Pair with a fresh green salad to balance out the richness
• Add a side of steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans

Storage & Reheating Tips

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Freezer: This dish is freezer-friendly—store for up to 2 months
• Reheating:
  • Microwave: Heat in 1-minute intervals until warm
  • Oven: Cover with foil and reheat at 180°C until heated through