Description

A comforting and flavorful twist on traditional pizza, this Pizza Casserole is a delightful baked pasta dish loaded with savory meats, gooey cheese, and zesty tomato sauce. It’s a family-friendly meal that’s easy to make and sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

Ingredients

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)
olive oil for greasing

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare the casserole dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
Prepare the meat sauce: Cook the ground beef or sausage with onion, garlic, and seasonings. Add the marinara/pizza sauce and simmer.
Combine ingredients: Mix the cooked pasta, meat sauce, cheeses, pepperoni, and bell pepper in a bowl.
Assemble and bake: Transfer the mixture to the casserole dish, top with remaining cheese and pepperoni, then bake until bubbly.
Serve: Let the casserole rest 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.