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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil pasta in salted water until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside, reserving for future layering.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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