This Is Our Favorite Pizza Hut Copycat of All Time

The only thing better than the stuffed crust pizza at Pizza Hut was the cavatini. Served in a piping hot dish, it was everything you’ve ever dreamed of in Italian comfort food: cheese, sausage, cheese, noodles… and did we mention, cheese?

Fortunately, even though you can’t order cavatini anymore, you can whip it up yourself—and it’s (almost) as easy as tossing everything in a casserole dish and putting it in the oven. The next time you get that craving for something smothered in saucy, meaty, cheesy goodness, follow the copycat recipe below.

(Or try one of these other 75 pasta casseroles that are just as delicious!)

How to Make Cavatini

Ingredients

• 1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound bulk Italian pork sausage
• 1-3/4 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian diced tomatoes
• 1 jar (23-1/2 ounces) Italian sausage and garlic spaghetti sauce
• 1 jar (16 ounces) chunky mild salsa
• 1 package (8 ounces) sliced pepperoni, chopped
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, divided
• 4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1-1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 jar (24 ounces) three-cheese spaghetti sauce

Step 1: Prep the Pasta

You’ve gotta boil the noodles before you put everything together—and just one box of pasta goes a long way in this recipe. Cook the penne according to the directions on the package, then drain. If you want to experiment with different noodles, browse this guide to pasta shapes from rotini to orecchiette.

Step 2: Make the Meat

Use the time while the pasta’s cooking to get your meat and veggie mixture ready. In a Dutch oven, cook the beef, sausage, mushrooms, onion and green pepper over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Then drain.

Step 3: Mix It All Together

Add the drained pasta to the meat mixture. Stir in the tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, salsa and pepperoni. Psst: You can also make your own sauce for the cavatini. Try this Italian sausage sauce recipe or this garlicky sauce.

Step 4: Assemble the Casseroles

Preheat your oven to 350°. Then divide half the pasta mixture between two greased 13×9-in. baking dishes. Sprinkle each with 1/4 cup of Swiss cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese.

Next, spread 3/4 cup of the three-cheese spaghetti sauce over each. Top it all with the remaining pasta mixture and three-cheese spaghetti sauce before sprinkling with the remaining cheeses.

Step 5: Bake ‘Til Bubbly

Cover the cavatini and bake until bubbly, about 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes longer.

Editor’s Tip: To turn this into a freezer-friendly dish, cover the unbaked casserole and freeze it for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and remove it about 30 minutes before baking. Bake the cavatini at 350°, covered, for 45 minutes. Uncover it and bake another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Want more copycat pasta recipes? Here are 15 of our all-time favorites from some of your go-to restaurants.

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Inspired by: Penne Rosa at Noodles & Company

I reworked this recipe from an original that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My friends and family had a hard time believing a sauce this rich, flavorful and creamy could be light. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California

Get Our Recipe: Blushing Penne Pasta

Inspired by: Cheese Ravioli at Zio's Italian Kitchen

I love to bake and cook, especially Italian dishes. In fact, my idea of a perfect day consists of cooking my family's favorite foods then watching them dig in!—Lori Daniels, Hartland, Michigan

Get Our Recipe: Homemade Ravioli

Inspired by: Cajun Chicken Pasta at Chili's

This kicked-up pasta dish is a family favorite and my most requested recipe. It's easy to adapt, too. Swap in shrimp for the chicken, add your favorite veggies, adjust the spice level to your family's taste—you can't go wrong! —Dolly Kragel, Smithland, Iowa

Get Our Recipe: Cajun Chicken & Pasta

Inspired by: Shrimp Scampi at The Cheesecake Factory

This shrimp scampi pasta looks like you fussed, but it’s easy to prepare. Lemon and herbs enhance the shrimp, and bread crumbs add a pleasing crunch. Served with fresh parsley, this main dish is pretty enough for company. —Lori Packer, Omaha, Nebraska

Get Our Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

Inspired by: Lasagne at Carrabba's Italian Grill

Want to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois

Get Our Recipe: Best Lasagna Recipe

Inspired by: Taylor Street Baked Ziti at Maggiano's Little Italy

I enjoy making this ziti recipe for family and friends. It's easy to prepare, and I like to get creative with the sauce. Sometimes I might add my home-canned tomatoes, mushrooms or vegetables. —Elaine Anderson New Galilee, Pennsylvania

Get Our Recipe: Easy Ziti Bake

Inspired by: Ravioli di Portobello at Olive Garden

My friend and I enjoy mushroom hunting. The exercise and fresh air, along with the beauty of the outdoors is invigorating. I came up with this recipe to use up the bounty of our harvest. The dish is easy, yet elegant. It's absolutely delicious. —Kelly Knoblock, Emmett, Idaho

Get Our Recipe: Morel Mushroom Ravioli

Inspired by: Chicken Marsala at Romano's Macaroni Grill

This is one of my favorite dishes to order in restaurants, so I created a version that I could make in a flash on a weeknight at home. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Get Our Recipe: Speedy Chicken Marsala

Inspired by: Spinach and Cheese Ravioli at The Old Spaghetti Factory

This entree is unbelievably simple to prepare yet tastes delicious. The fact that you use frozen ravioli—straight from the bag without boiling or thawing—saves so much time.—Susan Kehl, Pembroke Pines, Florida

Get Our Recipe: Spinach Ravioli Bake

Inspired by: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce at Fazoli's

Here's a thick, hearty sauce that turns ordinary spaghetti and garlic bread into a filling feast. When I'm in a hurry, I make this slow cooker recipe in an electric frying pan instead. —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin

Get Our Recipe: Meat Sauce for Spaghetti

Inspired by: Lemon and Garlic Shrimp Pasta at TGI Friday's

You'll be amazed that you can make this simple, elegant pasta in mere minutes. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all of the garlic lemon sauce. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina

Get Our Recipe: Garlic Lemon Shrimp

Inspired by: Mac & Cheese at Panera Bread

My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Get Our Recipe: White Cheddar Mac & Cheese

Inspired by: Spaghetti Carbonara at Biaggi's

This is an adaptation of a dish originally made by my Sunday school teacher, who brought it to church dinner. Be sure to prepare plenty, because seconds are always requested. It's also good with cubed cooked turkey instead of ham.—Carole Martin, Tallahassee, Florida

Get Our Recipe: Quick Carbonara

Inspired by: Spaghetti and Meatballs at Spaghetti Warehouse

One evening, we had unexpected company. Since I had the ingredients on hand, I made this spaghetti and meatballs recipe. Everyone raved! This classic recipe makes a big batch and is perfect for entertaining. —Mary Lou Koskella, Prescott, Arizona

Get Our Recipe: Best Spaghetti and Meatballs

Inspired by: Baked Mostaccioli at Barnelli's Pasta Bowl

When my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is meatball magic. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

Get Our Recipe: Three-Cheese Meatball Mostaccioli [skyword_tracking]

The post This Is Our Favorite Pizza Hut Copycat of All Time appeared first on Taste of Home.

Amanda Tarlton