Orzo pasta, which can be used to make casserole.
There are many different types of pasta casseroles, such as a beef pasta casserole with various types of meat, and an Italian pasta casserole with rotini pasta and tomato sauce. Other pasta dishes may include Mexican and Spanish-inspired ingredients mixed with different varieties of pasta, which can easily be made into a vegan or gluten-free pasta casserole. Most of the time, a casserole that uses pasta as a base ingredient uses a type of sauce for the filling, such as diced tomatoes or creamy condensed soup. For each stew, different pasta variations are possible, including rotini, spaghetti, angel hair, and fettuccini pasta.
Rotini is commonly used in Mexican pasta casserole.
A meaty pasta casserole is popular with Italian recipes and often includes the use of rotini or penne pasta instead of spaghetti or angel hair, which can go mushy during cooking. Most meaty pasta casseroles use a mix of different ground or whole meats, such as pork sausage, beef, and ground chicken. The basic sauce often mixed with the casserole includes diced, chopped, or pureed tomatoes and contains herbs such as oregano and basil. Shredded cheddar or colby cheese is also mixed in and sprinkled on top before baking for flavor.
Mexican Pasta Casserole contains ingredients often used in traditional enchilada recipes, such as enchilada sauce, jalapeno, avocado, and cheese. The most commonly used pasta for Mexican stews is rotini, but some recipes may use a mixture of rotini, fettuccini, or spaghetti. Along with the cheese, which melts during cooking and creates a meaty texture, ground beef or shredded chicken is often used to add volume and flavor. Diced tomatoes are commonly used as a sauce mixed with pasta and other ingredients, and sour cream can be included to create a creamier, richer flavor and texture.
Pizza Dough Casserole is a fun way to enjoy the flavor of pizza without using a crust, and often includes common pizza toppings like tomato sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. The rotini dough forms the base of the pizza dough pan, creating a firm layer underneath, and the pan is baked to melt the cheese and warm the dish. With any pasta stew, many meat elements can be substituted or eliminated to create a vegetarian stew. For those sensitive to the gluten present in wheat-based pasta, pasta used in stews can be substituted with gluten-free varieties.