Description
This Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is a delightful twist on classic pizza flavors baked into a comforting casserole. It’s a cheesy, savory dish perfect for satisfying those pizza cravings in a new way.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces pasta (rotini or penne)
Meat Mixture:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Toppings:
- 3 cups marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook pasta until al dente, then set aside.
- Cook Meat Mixture: Brown sausage or beef in a skillet with olive oil. Add onion, garlic, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in sauce and simmer. Combine with cooked pasta.
- Assemble and Bake: Layer half of the pasta mixture, cheeses, and pepperoni in the dish. Repeat layering. Bake covered, then uncovered, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Notes
- For added veggies, include bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives. Swap meat for turkey or omit for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
