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Easy Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

A generous serving of baked pizza pasta topped with melted mozzarella, pepperoni slices, and herbs on a white plate.
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Make this simple Pizza Pasta Bake for a comforting, family-friendly dinner that tastes like your favorite pizza. This casserole is quick to prepare and uses accessible ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound short pasta (like penne or rotini)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated 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 over medium heat. Add the 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 soft, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked pasta and the sliced pepperoni. Mix well to coat everything in the sauce.
  7. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly.
  9. Remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese over the top.
  10. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
  11. Let the pizza pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian option, skip the meat and add 1 cup of sliced mushrooms or chopped bell peppers when you cook the onions.
  • You can prepare this casserole ahead of time. Assemble the dish completely, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add about 10 minutes to the initial bake time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
  • Use your favorite pizza toppings, such as black olives or cooked mushrooms, to customize this dish.

Nutrition

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