Description
Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is a cheesy, comforting, and kid-friendly dinner that combines all the flavors of pizza in a baked casserole. Quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) pasta (penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional toppings: extra pepperoni, sliced olives, or chopped bell peppers
Instructions
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook meat: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and cook ground beef or sausage with onion until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add garlic & sauce: Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add marinara sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3–5 minutes.
- Combine: Mix cooked pasta with meat sauce. Stir in half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Assemble casserole: Pour mixture into a greased baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and pepperoni slices.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with optional toppings and serve warm.
Notes
You can add vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for extra flavor. Use turkey pepperoni or low-fat cheese for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking / Casserole
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
Keywords: pizza casserole, pepperoni pasta bake, cheesy casserole, family dinner