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