Description
Pizzagna is a delightful fusion of pizza and lasagna, combining layers of lasagna noodles with classic pizza toppings like pepperoni, bell peppers, olives, and a rich meat sauce. This comforting Italian-American dish is baked to bubbly perfection, offering the best of both worlds in a hearty casserole.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Assembly
- 9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
- 3 cups marinara or pizza sauce (divided)
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to release its flavor.
- Cook Meat: Add ground Italian sausage or beef to the skillet. Brown the meat thoroughly while breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Season and Simmer: Stir in Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes if using, and 2 1/2 cups of marinara sauce. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Remove from heat afterward.
- Layer the Pizzagna: Spread a thin layer of the remaining marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Lay down 3 cooked lasagna noodles to form the first layer. Spread half of the ricotta cheese evenly over the noodles, followed by half of the meat sauce, a handful of shredded mozzarella, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Add another layer of 3 lasagna noodles. Repeat with the remaining ricotta, meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Final Layer: Place the last 3 noodles on top. Cover with the remaining marinara sauce, the remaining mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Arrange the sliced pepperoni, chopped green bell pepper, and black olives evenly over the top to mimic classic pizza toppings.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the pizzagna to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to set. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley before serving for an extra burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- Customize your pizzagna toppings like you would with pizza, adding ingredients such as mushrooms, sausage crumbles, or even pineapple for a twist.
- You can substitute no-boil lasagna noodles for convenience; just adjust the baking time according to the package directions.
- For a less spicy version, omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
- If you prefer a leaner dish, use ground turkey instead of Italian sausage or beef.
