This Pizza Casserole Recipe combines all of the things you love about pizza with pasta in a delicious baked casserole. Every bite is packed with flavor and gooey cheese. With one unexpected ingredient, you’ll have a depth of flavor you won’t find in other casseroles!
Why you’ll love pizza pasta casserole
This Pizza Pasta Casserole is packed with flavor in every single bite. Not only do the mini pepperonis make it to where you get one in each bite, but the cheese is gooey, and the pasta has grooves to capture the sauce.
This casserole is easy to make and gives you all of the flavor of pizza in a baked dish. As written, this recipe is more like a meat lovers style pizza, but you can customize it with your favorite pizza toppings.
It’s easy enough for a weeknight meal, but yummy enough to serve to a crowd. The great thing is that it also freezes well and can be made ahead of time. The cooking time is less than 30 minutes, so it’s a great way to get ahead of things for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- Italian sausage
- Beef stock
- Garlic
- Worcestershire sauce
- Marinara pasta sauce
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Pasta
- Pepperoni
- Parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
How to make pepperoni pizza casserole
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- While you are waiting for the water to boil, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the Italian Sausage and cook, breaking it up until it’s completely cooked through.
- Add the garlic and saute just until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be sure not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in the beef stock and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for a minute.
- Pour in the Worcestershire sauce, marinara sauce, garlic powder, oregano, and basil. Mix to combine. Let it simmer on low while you boil the pasta.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente.
- Combine the cooked pasta, sauce mixture, half of the pepperoni, and half of the mozzarella. Mix until it’s fully combined.
- Pour the mixture into the 9×13 baking dish.
- Sprinkle the top of the pasta with the remaining mozzarella, parmesan, and pepperonis. Sprinkle the top with red pepper flakes if using.
- Cover and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the cover and bake an additional 15 minutes uncovered.
- Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Substitutions and alterations
- Italian sausage – ground beef, diced ham, mini meatballs
- beef stock – beef broth or bone broth
- marinara pasta sauce – any pasta or pizza sauce you enjoy
- rotini or cavatappi pasta – penne, shells, or macaroni
- mini pepperonis – full size pepperonis, but I recommend chopping them
- Italian seasoning – you can replace the oregano, basil, and garlic powder combo with Italian seasoning
Tips and tricks for the best pizza pasta
Be sure to use a pasta sauce you really enjoy. It will make a big difference in the overall result of the pasta bake.
It’s important that the cheese is freshly shredded. Pre-shredded cheese has a anti-caking agent on it that keeps it from melting the same as freshly shredded. The little extra work is worth it.
You can top it with all of your favorite traditional pizza toppings! Go crazy with bell peppers, olives, onions, and mushrooms.
How to store this recipe for pizza casserole
Allow the casserole to cool completely before storing to avoid condensation.
Refrigerator – Store the cooled casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh up to 3 days.
Freezer – Place the casserole in an airtight, freezer-safe container. It will remain fresh up to 3 months in the freezer.
Reheating – To reheat this casserole, place it in the oven at 350ºF for about 20 minutes. You can also microwave individual servings for about 1-2 minutes, covered.
What to serve with pizza casserole
You can serve pizza casserole with your favorite pizza dipping sauces and sides.
FAQs for this pizza pasta recipe
Pizza casserole is a baked dish that combines pasta with pizza in a casserole form. It typically includes pasta, pizza sauce, cheese, and various pizza toppings like pepperoni and Italian sausage.
Yes, pizza casserole can be assembled completely and then covered tightly. Place it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
A flavorful marinara sauce is best when making a pizza casserole. The better the sauce, the better the result.
You can assemble pizza casserole as written. Stop before the baking step and cover it tightly. Place it in the refrigerator for 24 hours or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
Pizza casserole should be baked for 10 minutes covered followed by 15 minutes uncovered.
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Baked Pasta Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground sausage mild or sweet Italian Sausage
- ½ cup beef stock
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 40 oz marinara pasta sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 12 ounces rotini or cavatappi pasta
- 5 ounces mini pepperonis
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
- red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- While you are waiting for the water to boil, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the Italian Sausage and cook, breaking it up until it’s completely cooked through.
- Add the garlic and saute just until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be sure not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in the beef stock and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for a minute.
- Pour in the Worcestershire sauce, marinara sauce, garlic powder, oregano, and basil. Mix to combine. Let it simmer on low while you boil the pasta.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente.
- Combine the cooked pasta, sauce mixture, half of the pepperoni, and half of the mozzarella. Mix until it’s fully combined.
- Pour the mixture into the 9×13 baking dish.
- Sprinkle the top of the pasta with the remaining mozzarella, parmesan, and pepperonis. Sprinkle the top with red pepper flakes if using.
- Cover and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the cover and bake an additional 15 minutes uncovered.
- Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Be sure to use a pasta sauce you really enjoy. It will make a big difference in the overall result.
- It’s important that the cheese is freshly shredded. Pre-shredded cheese has a anti-caking agent on it that keeps it from melting the same as freshly shredded. The little extra work is worth it.
- You can top it with all of your favorite traditional pizza toppings! Go crazy with bell peppers, olives, onions, and mushrooms.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Both of my sons loved this. Easy to prepare so they can do this themselves.