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Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Pasta Casserole for Quick Weeknight Dinners

A generous slice of baked pizza casserole featuring rotini pasta, rich tomato sauce, and melted, browned mozzarella cheese.
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Make this easy pizza casserole for a satisfying, family-friendly meal. It combines all your favorite pizza flavors in one simple, cheesy bake that you can prepare quickly.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound dry pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar pizza sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and onion. Cook until the meat is browned and the onion is soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the pizza sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked pasta and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese until everything is combined.
  7. Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese over the top. Scatter the pepperoni slices over the cheese if you are using them.
  8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
  9. Let the pizza casserole rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a make ahead casserole meal, assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
  • Customize this comfort food casserole by adding your preferred pizza toppings like sliced mushrooms, green peppers, or black olives with the meat mixture.
  • If you prefer a bubble up pizza bake style, substitute the pasta with 2 cans (16.3 ounces each) of refrigerated biscuit dough, cut into quarters, and mix the biscuit pieces directly into the sauce mixture before topping with cheese.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/easy-pizza-casserole-recipe/