Description

Everyone will ask you to make this pasta casserole over and over again because it is so amazingly good. It's full of yummy flavors and a wonderful sauce that makes it really special.

Ingredients

• 16 oz. package medium-size shells
• 1 medium onion, diced
• olive oil, a few drizzles
• 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
• 2 t. dry Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 t. garlic salt
• 1/2 t. red pepper flakes
• 8 oz. package chive and onion cream cheese, softened
• 2 1/2 c. half and half
• 3 T. butter, melted
• 4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 6 oz. jarred basil pesto
• 1/3 c. sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed and chopped
• 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 T. chopped Italian parsley, optional
• non-stick cooking spray

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Cook pasta in well salted water according to package instructions until al dente; drain well.
3. In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook onion in a few drizzles of olive oil for 2 minutes until softened; add ground beef. Season beef with Italian seasoning, garlic salt and red pepper flakes; cook until no pink remains. Discard all excess fat. Add cream cheese, half and half and butter; stir until the cream cheese has completely melted. Remove from the heat; add 2 c. Mozzarella cheese, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and cooked pasta; mix well.