Pizza Pasta Casserole Recipe
Introduction
Pizza Pasta is the ultimate comfort dish that combines the best of two favorites: pasta and pizza. Rich meat sauce, melted mozzarella, and pepperoni make this casserole a crowd-pleaser perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- ½ lb. ground beef
- ½ lb. ground sausage (mild, sweet, or hot Italian)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper
- ½ cup beef broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 32 oz. marinara sauce (high quality)
- 8 oz. pizza sauce
- ¾ lb. penne pasta
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 ½ cups shredded whole milk or low moisture mozzarella
- 25 slices pepperoni
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Measure all ingredients out before you start. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta, generously salting it once boiling.
- Step 2: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, sausage, and diced onions for 4 minutes. Add the green bell pepper and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the meat is browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Pour in the beef broth and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, oregano, basil, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute.
- Step 4: Add the marinara and pizza sauces. Stir to combine and let it simmer partially covered while you cook the pasta.
- Step 5: Cook the penne pasta in the boiling water for 1 minute less than the package directs for al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Step 6: Reduce the sauce heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and mix until well combined.
- Step 7: Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish if your skillet can’t go in the oven at 450°F.
- Step 8: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, followed by the pepperoni slices.
- Step 9: Cover the dish and bake for 10 minutes. If using foil, spray one side with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking to the cheese.
- Step 10: Remove the cover and bake uncovered for 15 more minutes or until the top reaches your preferred golden color. Optionally, broil at 450°F for about 1 minute to brown the cheese further—watch carefully.
- Step 11: Garnish with fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Use high-quality marinara and pizza sauces for the best flavor.
- Try swapping penne with rigatoni or ziti for a different texture.
- Add mushrooms or black olives to the sauce for extra depth.
- To make it spicy, increase the hot sauce or red pepper flakes to taste.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the meat and add sautéed vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in the microwave or oven until warmed through. You can also freeze the dish for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?
Yes, penne is recommended because its shape holds the sauce well, but rigatoni, ziti, or even rotini work perfectly as alternatives.
What if I don’t have pizza sauce?
You can use additional marinara sauce instead. If desired, add a pinch of dried oregano and garlic powder to mimic pizza sauce flavor.
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Pizza Pasta Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Pizza Pasta recipe combines the best flavors of pizza and pasta into one hearty, comforting casserole. Ground beef and sausage are cooked with onions, peppers, and a blend of marinara and pizza sauces. The mixture is simmered and combined with penne pasta, then baked with generous layers of mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices, delivering a deliciously cheesy, meaty meal perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- ½ lb. ground beef
- ½ lb. ground sausage (mild, sweet, or hot Italian)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- ½ cup beef broth
- 32 oz. marinara sauce (high quality)
- 8 oz. pizza sauce
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
Pasta and Cheese
- ¾ lb. penne pasta
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 ½ cups whole milk/low moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded from a block
Toppings and Seasonings
- 25 slices pepperoni
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prep Work: Measure out all ingredients before starting the cooking process to ensure a smooth workflow. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large pot of water for boiling the pasta.
- Cook Pasta Water: Bring the large pot of water to a boil, then generously salt the water with about ¾ tablespoon kosher salt to season the pasta while it cooks.
- Brown the Meat and Vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, ground sausage, and diced onions. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add diced green bell pepper and continue cooking for 5 more minutes or until the meat is fully browned and cooked through. Drain off excess grease from the skillet.
- Add Broth and Aromatics: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and pour in the beef broth. Use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the skillet to incorporate browned bits. Add minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute to release flavors.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add marinara sauce and pizza sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Let the sauce simmer partially covered while cooking the pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in the salted water for 1 minute less than the package’s al dente cooking time. This prevents overcooking once baked.
- Finish Sauce and Combine: Reduce the sauce heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese thoroughly. Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sauce. Mix well to coat the pasta evenly.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish if your skillet is not oven-safe.
- Add Toppings: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Arrange the 25 slices of pepperoni over the cheese layer.
- Initial Bake: Cover the casserole dish with foil (spray the underside with non-stick cooking spray to prevent cheese sticking if using foil). Bake in the preheated 375°F oven for 10 minutes.
- Final Bake and Broil: Remove the foil cover and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is your desired level of golden brown. Optional: For a crispier top, broil at 450°F for about 1 minute. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: If desired, garnish with fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy your pizza-inspired pasta casserole!
Notes
- Use high-quality marinara and pizza sauces for the best flavor impact.
- For a less spicy dish, consider reducing or omitting the hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
- Spraying the foil with non-stick cooking spray helps prevent melted cheese from sticking when covering the casserole.
- The recipe can be customized with different types of sausage or additional vegetables like mushrooms or olives.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Pizza Pasta, Italian Pasta Casserole, Baked Pasta with Pepperoni, Comfort Food, Dinner Recipe
