Description
This Pizza Casserole is a delicious twist on traditional pizza, combining pasta, savory meat sauce, gooey cheese, and your favorite toppings baked to perfection. It’s a comforting and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese and Toppings:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices (plus extra for topping)
- 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper (optional)
Additional:
- olive oil for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the meat sauce: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or sausage with onion until browned. Add garlic, then stir in the marinara/pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3–5 minutes.
- Combine ingredients: In a bowl, mix cooked pasta, meat sauce, half the mozzarella, half the Parmesan, mini pepperoni, and green bell pepper (if using). Transfer to casserole dish.
- Add toppings and bake: Top with remaining cheeses and extra pepperoni. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Customize with your favorite pizza toppings like olives, mushrooms, or cooked bacon.
- For a meatless version, omit the meat and load up on veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
