Easy Pizza Pasta Casserole with Pepperoni
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This Pizza Pasta Casserole recipe takes two Italian favorites: pasta & pizza, and turns them into an easy casserole dish full of cheesy, saucy goodness. Customize it with your favorite toppings for something all your own!
Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Casserole
Sometimes you gotta treat yourself to some comfort food, and this cheesy pizza pasta bake hits the spot. It’ll satisfy hungry teenagers, picky eaters, and cure anyone with a serious case of Italian food cravings.
To make this easy pizza casserole recipe, all we need to do is brown the meat and onion, toss in the sauce and seasonings, pour it into a casserole dish with some al dente pasta, and throw on your favorite toppings. Pop it in the oven for 30 minutes, and boom—it’s ready to serve the entire family, no matter how hungry they are.
Pizza night, who?
Ingredients
- Penne pasta
- Medium onion
- Ground beef
- Garlic powder
- Seasoned salt
- 15-ounce jar of pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pepperoni
Swaps & Extras
This pizza pasta recipe is super flexible and totally customizable. Here are some quick tips and swaps to make it just the way you like it:
Base Options:
- Instead of pasta, top your meat mixture with canned or refrigerated crescent rolls for a flaky, buttery crust. They’ll bake in about 15 minutes.
- Try a different pasta shape, whether it’s rotini, elbows, or cavatappi pasta.
Toppings:
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Banana peppers
- Black olives
- Fresh basil (after baking)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (for heat)
- Spinach and feta cheese
Protein Swaps:
- Ground turkey instead of beef.
- Mix ground beef with spicy Italian sausage for extra flavor.
Cheese Options:
- Try provolone, sharp cheddar, or feta.
Extra Flavors:
- Use extra sauce if you prefer, or make your own homemade pizza sauce.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves when sautéing onions and ground beef.
How to Make This Pizza Pasta Casserole
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Boil some water in a medium saucepan, toss in the pasta, and cook it as the package says. Drain it and let it cool.
3. In a large skillet, heat up some olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion until fragrant.
4. Add the ground beef, sprinkle in some garlic powder and seasoned salt, and cook until it’s browned and no longer pink. Drain the grease.
5. Put the beef back in the skillet and stir in the pizza sauce. Let it heat up and mix well.
6. Pour everything into the casserole dish, spread it out, and sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly on top. Add a layer of pepperoni slices.
7. Place it in the oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until everything is hot and bubbly.
What to Serve with Easy Pizza Pasta Bake
I love to just serve my casserole with some garlic bread or a simple side salad. This Quick & Easy Greek Salad is one of my favorites!
Storage
You can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, just pop them in the microwave to reheat!
Pizza Pasta Casserole
This pizza pasta casserole is the ultimate mashup! Packed with all your go-to pizza toppings and baked with a layer of gooey, melted cheese on top, it’s hearty, cheesy, and totally delicious.
Ingredients
- 4 cups penne pasta
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 1-2 tbsp. Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
- 15-ounce jar of pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pepperoni
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, bring water to a boil. Then add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain and let cool.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until fragrant.
- Next, add the ground beef and season with garlic powder and seasoned salt. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain.
- Return to the skillet. Then add the pizza sauce, stirring until everything is heated and mixed.
- Transfer to the casserole dish. Sprinkle mozzarella in an even layer over the pasta. Top with pepperoni.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through.
