Pizza Pasta Skillet

Ingredients:

• 1 pound bulk sweet or hot Italian sausage
• 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
• 1/2 cup finely diced onion (optional)
• 1/2 cup finely diced green pepper (optional)
• 1/4 cup pepperoni
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with basil garlic and oregano
• 4 cups water
• 1 box (16 ounces) rotini pasta
• 2 to 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to broil.

In a large oven-proof skillet, brown sausage over medium-high heat until crumbly. If using onions and peppers add the skillet. Cook the veggies with the sausage for a few minutes until they just start to get soft. Stir in oregano, basil, and garlic powder and cook for another minute. Add both cans tomato sauce, canned tomatoes with juice, water and pasta. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a low simmer until pasta is cooked through and most of the sauce has cooked away, about 10 to 14 minutes. Stir occasionally so pasta doesn’t stick. Remove from heat. Sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices. Place under broiler until cheese melts and browns. Serve warm.