Bubbly Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe For Dinner Joy

Bubbling with flavor and comfort, this cheesy pepperoni pizza casserole brings classic pizza magic to a hearty baked dish.

Layers of melty cheese and zesty pepperoni create an irresistible meal that slides perfectly between traditional pizza and classic casserole.

Pasta catches every drop of rich marinara sauce while crispy pepperoni edges add delightful crunch.

Weeknight dinners demand simple, satisfying solutions like this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Each forkful promises a delicious blend of familiar pizza elements transformed into a cozy, one-pan wonder.

Families and friends will devour this easy, cheesy masterpiece in minutes.

Prepare to fall in love with a new dinner favorite that combines the best of pizza and comfort food.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 8

Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Ingredient Overview

• Pasta: Robust foundation that captures the hearty meat sauce, choose medium-sized pasta shapes for best sauce-to-noodle ratio.

• Ground Beef, Sausage: Rich meaty component that adds depth and protein, select lean cuts for healthier option.
• Onion: Aromatic vegetable that builds savory foundation, choose fresh firm onions without soft spots.
• Garlic: Powerful flavor enhancer that provides robust undertones, select plump cloves with smooth skin.

• Marinara Sauce: Tangy tomato base that binds ingredients, pick high-quality sauce with minimal preservatives.
• Pizza Sauce: Alternative sauce option for more concentrated tomato flavor, select authentic Italian-style sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: Herbal blend that elevates overall taste profile, ensure herbs are fresh and fragrant.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy melting cheese that creates stretchy texture, select full-fat variety for best results.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp aged cheese that adds nutty complexity, choose freshly grated for maximum flavor.

• Pepperoni: Classic pizza topping that provides spicy, meaty crunch, select thinly sliced premium pepperoni.
• Black Olives: Optional tangy garnish that adds Mediterranean flair, choose pitted olives for convenience.
• Bell Peppers: Optional colorful vegetable that introduces fresh crispness, select firm, bright-colored peppers.

• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that balances overall taste.
• Black Pepper: Subtle spice that adds gentle warmth to the dish.

Tools to Layer Like a Pizza Bake Pro

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta with enough space to cook noodles evenly.
• Large skillet: Perfect for browning meat and creating flavorful sauce.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed to combine pasta and meat sauce thoroughly.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Ideal size for layering casserole ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for precise cheese measurements.
• Cutting board: Used for chopping onions and garlic.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for dicing ingredients.
• Aluminum foil: Covers casserole during initial baking.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.

How to Build a Cheesy Pizza Casserole

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and get ready for a flavor explosion.

• Boil the Pasta

Cook the pasta in salted water until it’s perfectly tender, then drain and set aside for the magic.

• Brown the Meat

Sizzle ground beef or sausage in a skillet until it’s golden and delicious. Toss in diced onions and let them dance around until soft.

• Create the Sauce

Splash in some minced garlic, then pour marinara over the meat. Sprinkle in Italian seasonings and let everything bubble together for a few minutes.

• Layer the Casserole

Mix pasta with the meaty sauce in a big bowl. Spread half the mixture into a greased baking dish. Shower with mozzarella and pepperoni slices.

• Build the Second Layer

Repeat the pasta, cheese, and pepperoni situation. Dust the top with Parmesan for extra zing.

• Bake to Perfection

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then unveil and let it sizzle for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese turns irresistibly golden and bubbly.

• Serve and Devour

Let the casserole cool briefly, then dive in! Toss on some optional toppings if you’re feeling fancy.

Swap Ideas and Flavor Additions That Work

• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat crumbles for leaner protein alternatives that maintain delicious flavor profiles.
• Prepare the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Simply bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
• Use gluten-free pasta and ensure marinara sauce is certified gluten-free to transform this recipe into a celiac-safe meal without compromising taste.
• Add red pepper flakes, jalapeños, or swap standard pepperoni for spicy pepperoni to create a more intense, zesty flavor experience that kicks the dish up a notch.
• Incorporate extra vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms directly into the meat sauce to increase nutritional value and add more texture to the casserole.

Serve Slices with Salad or Garlic Knots

• Pizza Party Platter: Create a fun pizza-themed spread by serving the casserole alongside small garlic bread wedges, crisp green salad, and chilled antipasto skewers for a complete meal experience.
• Comfort Food Companion: Pair this hearty casserole with a light, tangy coleslaw or a fresh cucumber salad to balance the rich, cheesy flavors and add some refreshing crunch to your plate.
• Dipping Delight: Offer extra marinara sauce on the side for guests who love dunking their casserole bites, along with some ranch or garlic aioli for additional dipping options that enhance the pizza-inspired taste.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve directly from the baking dish at the center of the table, letting everyone scoop their own portion and create a warm, communal dining atmosphere that celebrates comfort food.

Wrap and Keep for Weeknight Meals

• Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Warm individual portions in microwave for 1-2 minutes, covering with damp paper towel to prevent cheese from drying out. Alternatively, reheat in oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes until heated completely through.
• Wrap casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil before freezing. Stays delicious for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating to maintain best taste and consistency.
• Divide casserole into single-serving containers for grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners. Label containers with date and contents for easy meal planning and tracking.

Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Comfort meets classic flavor in this pepperoni pizza casserole, blending pasta, zesty sauce, and melted cheese into one irresistible dish. Hearty layers promise a crowd-pleasing meal that delivers satisfying pizza goodness you won’t be able to resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 12 ounces (340 g) rotini or penne pasta
• 1 (24-oz/680 g) jar marinara or pizza sauce
• 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (100 g) sliced pepperoni
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Optional toppings: sliced black olives, diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil pasta in salted water until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside, reserving for future layering.
2. Meat Sauce Development: Brown ground beef or sausage in a large skillet, incorporating diced onions until translucent. Introduce minced garlic and sauté briefly. Eliminate excess fat, then integrate marinara sauce with Italian seasoning, creating a robust, flavorful base. Allow sauce to simmer and meld flavors.
3. Casserole Assembly: Layer half the pasta-sauce mixture into a greased baking dish. Generously distribute mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices. Repeat layering process, ensuring even coverage. Crown the dish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for enhanced depth.
4. Baking Process: Shield casserole with aluminum foil, then bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven. Initially cover for 20 minutes, then uncover and continue baking until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling landscape.
5. Final Presentation: Extract casserole from oven, allowing brief cooling period. Optional embellishments include black olives, bell peppers, or mushrooms. Serve immediately while cheese remains molten and inviting.

Notes

• Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushy texture in the final casserole, ensuring a perfect bite every time.
• Remove excess fat from browned meat to prevent a greasy dish and maintain a clean, rich flavor profile.
• Use freshly shredded mozzarella for best melting quality, avoiding pre-shredded cheese which contains anti-caking agents that can impact melting.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option, or use plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian version of the casserole.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg