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Easy Cheesy One-Pot Pizza Pasta Bake

A fork lifting a bite of cheesy pizza pasta, showing long cheese pulls over a bowl of rotini pasta, sauce, and pepperoni.
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This recipe combines the familiar flavors of pizza with comforting pasta in a simple, baked casserole format. It is designed for busy weeknights and delivers cheesy satisfaction with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

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

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 or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage or ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the pizza sauce, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  6. Stir in the cooked, drained pasta and 1/2 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix well to coat the pasta evenly.
  7. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Scatter the mini pepperoni slices over the top.
  8. In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese with the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this cheese mixture evenly over the pepperoni layer.
  9. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a make-ahead option, assemble the casserole completely (without baking) and cover it tightly. Refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze unbaked for up to 3 months. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the sausage to make a lighter version of this family favorite comfort food.
  • If you prefer a one-pot stovetop meal instead of a bake, skip steps 1, 4, and 6 through 8. After simmering the sauce and pasta (step 5), stir in all the cheese and pepperoni, cover, and let it sit off the heat for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

Nutrition

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