Description
Heavenly Pizza Casserole takes everything you love about a loaded pizzeria pie savory meat, melty cheese, zesty sauce, and pepperoni and tucks it into a bubbling, family-style bake. It’s cozy, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing, with simple ingredients and all the fun of pizza night in easy casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni, divided
- Cooking spray or a little oil, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little oil and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes, until the onion is softened and translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the chopped bell pepper, pizza sauce, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat and sauce mixture. Add 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella and half of the sliced pepperoni. Stir until everything is evenly coated and distributed.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, then arrange the remaining pepperoni slices over the cheese.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving so it sets slightly and is easier to scoop.
Notes
- Use Italian sausage for extra classic pizzeria flavor, or stick with ground beef for a milder, kid-friendly version.
- Rotini holds the sauce beautifully, but penne, fusilli, or ziti all work well in this casserole.
- Taste the sauce mixture before combining with the pasta and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking helps it thicken slightly and makes for neater slices and easier serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Casserole
- Method: Stovetop + Baked
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 450 kcal (approximate)
- Sugar: 8 g (approximate)
- Sodium: 900 mg (approximate)
- Fat: 22 g (approximate)
- Saturated Fat: 9 g (approximate)
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g (approximate)
- Trans Fat: 0 g (approximate)
- Carbohydrates: 40 g (approximate)
- Fiber: 3 g (approximate)
- Protein: 24 g (approximate)
- Cholesterol: 70 mg (approximate)
Keywords: pizza casserole, pepperoni pasta bake, cheesy pasta casserole, family dinner, easy weeknight meal, oven baked pasta