Description
Hearty meat lovers pizza casserole blends classic Italian-American flavors into one comforting dish. Layers of pepperoni, sausage, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal people will crave.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453 g) lean ground beef
- 1 lb (453 g) Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup chopped pepperoni
- Additional pepperoni slices for topping (optional)
- 12 oz (340 g) rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, medium, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz/680 g) marinara or tomato basil pasta sauce
- 2 tsps Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Coat a baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 375F (190C).
- Pasta Cooking: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente, then drain and reserve.
- Meat Mixture: In a skillet, brown ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Incorporate pepperoni, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer to develop rich flavors.
- Assembly: Combine cooked pasta with meat sauce in the prepared baking dish. Layer mozzarella cheese and optional pepperoni slices across the surface.
- Cheese Topping: Completely cover the casserole with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Seal with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Finishing: Remove foil and continue baking for 10 more minutes. Broil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serving: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring a perfectly textured casserole.
- Meat Browning Technique: Drain excess fat after browning meats to prevent a greasy final dish and concentrate flavor intensity.
- Cheese Melting Strategy: Layer cheeses strategically for maximum coverage and a golden, bubbly top that creates irresistible texture.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making meal prep easier for busy nights.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 535
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1110 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg