Pizza Casserole

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This pizza casserole brings all the comforting flavors of a classic pizza into an easy, family-friendly bake. The combination of pasta, hearty sauce, and plenty of melted mozzarella makes it an instant crowd-pleaser. It’s one of those dishes that feels nostalgic and satisfying, especially on busy weeknights when you want something warm and filling.

You can customize the flavors just as you would with a regular pizza. Add your favorite meats, swap in different vegetables, or dial the spice up or down. It’s also a great option for feeding a group — the casserole bakes up beautifully and reheats well, so leftovers are just as good the next day.

Ingredient Notes

• Rotini or fusilli – Twisty pasta shapes help hold the sauce well.
• Ground beef or Italian sausage – Either works; sausage gives a more classic “pizzeria” flavor.
• Onion and bell pepper – Add texture and sweetness to balance the sauce.
• Pizza sauce – Use your favorite brand for dependable flavor.
• Crushed or diced tomatoes – Add body to the sauce and keep it from being too thick.
• Black olives – Optional, but add a nice salty contrast.
• Pepperoni – Provides classic pizza flavor throughout the casserole.
• Mozzarella – Melts beautifully for that essential cheesy topping.

Steps to Make Pizza Casserole

1. Cook the pasta until al dente and drain it.
2. Brown the meat with the onion in a large pan.
3. Add the peppers, garlic, and seasonings and cook briefly.
4. Stir in the sauces, tomatoes, olives, and pepperoni.
5. Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce mixture.
6. Layer half the pasta mixture in the baking dish and add a layer of cheese.
7. Add the remaining pasta and finish with the rest of the cheese.
8. Bake until the casserole is hot and the cheese has melted.

Recipe Variations

• Supreme style. Add mushrooms, sliced green olives, and a little extra bell pepper.
• Meat lover’s. Use sausage and add a handful of cooked bacon or diced ham.
• Veggie version. Skip the meat and load the casserole with mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or extra peppers.
• Spicy version. Add more crushed red pepper or stir in some sliced jalapeños.

What To Serve With a Pizza Casserole

• Add a tossed salad with a light vinaigrette.
• Serve with focaccia, breadsticks, or garlic bread.
• Make a fresh side, such as a broccoli crunch salad.
• Offer pickled vegetables, such as pepperoncini or giardiniera.

Pizza Casserole

Diana Rattray

This hearty pizza casserole is a one-pot meal that will satisfy everyone’s pizza craving! Make it with your favorite toppings.

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Servings 8 servings

Calories 595

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Prep Time 12 minutes mins

Cook Time 48 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Ingredients

  

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• Cooking spray, for greasing the baking dish
• 1 tbsp Kosher salt, for the pasta water
• 8 ounces rotini, or fusilli
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 cup chopped onion
• ½ cup chopped bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper, or to taste
• 1 ½ cups pizza sauce, (about 12 to 14 ounces)
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (2 1/4-ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
• 6 ounces pepperoni, sliced
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided

Recommended Equipment

• Large pasta pot
• 3-quart colander

Instructions

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• Spray a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and heat the oven to 350°F.
  Cooking spray (for greasing the baking dish)
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. Add the pasta and cook following the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
  1 tbsp Kosher salt (for the pasta water) | 8 ounces rotini (or fusilli)
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and onion and cook while breaking up and stirring until the onion is translucent. This will take about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off and discard excess grease.
  2 tbsp olive oil | 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage | 1 cup chopped onion
• Add the bell pepper and garlic and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes.
  1/2 cup chopped bell pepper | 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• Add the Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, pizza sauce, tomatoes, olives, and pepperoni to the ground meat. Heat until the sauce begins to simmer. Taste and add salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed.
  1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning | 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (or to taste) | 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce ((about 12 to 14 ounces)) | 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (undrained) | 1 (2 1/4-ounce) can sliced black olives (drained) | 6 ounces pepperoni (sliced) | salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• Combine the meat and sauce mixture with the drained pasta. Toss to blend thoroughly.
• Spoon half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Spoon the remaining pasta mixture over the cheese layer and finish with the remaining cheese.
  16 ounces mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided)
• Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese is thoroughly melted.

Nutrition

Calories: 595kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 31gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 744mgPotassium: 375mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 700IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 319mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword ground beef, pasta casserole, pepperoni, pizza casserole

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