Pizza Shells

Ingredients

• 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 (12 ounce) box jumbo pasta shells
• 1 (6 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 (6 ounce) package of sliced mini pepperoni

Directions

Place crushed tomatoes, canola oil, oregano, basil, and sugar into a large saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook the sauce, stirring frequently, until the flavors have blended, about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water, and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in the shell pasta, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the shells are cooked but still firm, about 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly.

Mix the mushrooms, green pepper, and onion in a bowl. To stuff the shells, spoon about 1 teaspoon of tomato sauce into a shell; sprinkle with the mushroom, green pepper, and onion mixture. Top the shell with about 1 tablespoon of Monterey Jack cheese. Repeat for remaining shells and filling, and place the stuffed shells into a 9×13-inch baking dish side by side and touching. Place several slices of mini pepperoni on each shell. Pour the remaining tomato sauce gently around the shells.

Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and browned and the pepperoni slices are crisp, about 30 minutes.