Southern Filled Comfort Casserole

• 10 ounces macaroni (elbow, bow ties or spirals)
• 1 lb ham, cubed (smoked works well, too)
• 1 Spanish onion, med-large, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can Italian stewed tomatoes
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed golden mushroom soup
• 3 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 12 teaspoon kosher salt
• 12 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 -6 dashes Tabasco sauce (optional)

1. Cook pasta "al dente" as per directions, making sure NOT to overcook.
2. Drain and set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
4. Spray oil a saute skillet over medium heat, and add chopped onion, cooking until transparent (about 10 minutes).
5. Halfway through, add minced garlic and mix well.
6. (if you're using ground meat, brown at this time and drain excess grease).
7. In large bowl combine Italian tomatoes, breaking up tomato pieces into small bite sizes.
8. Add crushed tomatoes, can of soup, salt, pepper and 1 cup grated cheese, mixing well (add optional Tabasco sauce).
9. Add cooked onion and cubed ham (or other meat) and mix.
10. Fold in pasta until well coated and then transfer into an oil sprayed 12x9 casserole dish, spreading evenly.
11. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
12. Bake for 25-30 minutes until LIGHTLY golden brown on top and bubbly on the sides.
13. Set aside for 5 minutes to set.

macaroni, ham, onion, garlic, italian stewed tomatoes, tomatoes, condensed golden mushroom soup, cheddar cheese, kosher salt, black pepper, tabasco sauce

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/southern-filled-comfort-casserole-168860 (may not work)