With penne pasta folded into Italian-inspired mini meat loaves, these open-face sandwiches combine all the favorites of a traditional Italian supper, right down to the garlic bread.

• ½ cup dried mini penne pasta (2 ounces)
• 4 long individual ciabatta rolls or hoagie buns
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• ½ cup chopped yellow or red sweet pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• ¾ cup milk
• ⅔ cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, crushed
• 1½ pounds ground beef
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 recipe Garlic Butter, recipe below
• 1 cup bottled pasta sauce, warmed
• Shaved Parmesan cheese
• 1 recipe Toasted Bread Crumbs, recipe below
• Fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook penne according to package directions; drain. Rinse and cool completely. Halve three rolls lengthwise; set aside. Use remaining roll to prepare Toasted Bread Crumbs, recipe below.
2. In large skillet cook onion, sweet pepper, and garlic in hot oil over medium heat for 5 minutes or until tender.
3. In large bowl combine eggs, milk, ⅔ cup of the Toasted Bread Crumbs, ½ tsp. salt, and Italian seasoning. With hands, fold in ground beef, cooked pasta, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and cooked vegetables. Form in six 6-inch-by-3-inch oblong loaves (loaves will appear bumpy rather than smooth). Place in shallow baking pan.*(Bake, uncovered, 25 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of loaves reads 160°F.
4. Spread split rolls with Garlic Butter. Bake about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Top each toasted roll half with warm pasta sauce and a mini loaf. Sprinkle with shaved Parmesan, remaining Toasted Bread Crumbs, and snipped fresh parsley.

Makes 6 servings.

Garlic Butter: In small skillet cook 2 cloves of thinly sliced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil in 3 Tablespoons of butter until garlic is tender.

Toasted Bread Crumbs: Tear one roll in pieces and add to food processor or blender. Process or blend until coarse crumbs form. In 8-inch skillet, toast bread crumbs in 1 Tbsp. melted butter over medium heat until lightly browned. Remove ⅔ cup to add to the meat loaf mix. Use remaining crumbs for topping the meat loaves.

*If necessary, place loaves in two shallow baking pans and rotate pans on oven racks halfway through baking time.