Description
Pizza Casserole is a cheesy, meaty baked pasta dish that combines all the delicious flavors of classic pizza into a hearty, family-friendly casserole. It’s easy to make, customizable, and perfect for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni)
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 3 cups pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion (and bell pepper, if using) until soft. Add ground beef or sausage, season with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and cook until browned.
- Stir in pizza sauce and simmer for a few minutes.
- Combine cooked pasta with the sauce mixture. Layer half into the baking dish.
- Top with half the mozzarella and some pepperoni slices. Repeat with remaining pasta, mozzarella, pepperoni, and sprinkle Parmesan on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Add mushrooms, olives, or cooked bacon for variation.
- Use ground turkey and low-fat cheese for a lighter version.
- Make it vegetarian by swapping meat with zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach.
- Store-bought pizza sauce is perfect; add extra seasoning for a flavor boost.
- Ensure pasta is well-coated in sauce to prevent drying out while baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
