Description
Pepperoni Pizza Casserole brings all the cheesy, saucy goodness of pizza into a comforting baked dish that’ll make your family cheer at dinnertime. Packed with zesty pepperoni, melted cheese, and a hearty pasta base, this crowd-pleasing meal comes together faster than ordering delivery.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 package (16 ounces) rotini pasta
- 1 jar (14 ounces) pizza sauce
- 1 package (5 ounces) pepperoni slices
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Crank your oven to 375°F for a perfectly heated cooking environment.
- Salt a large pot of water and boil the entire 16-ounce package of rotini pasta until it reaches al dente texture, then drain completely.
- Grab a spacious mixing bowl and combine your cooked pasta with the full 14-ounce jar of pizza sauce, stirring in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the saucy pasta mixture into a clean 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it smoothly across the entire surface.
- Scatter the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese generously over the pasta base, creating a complete cheese layer.
- Arrange the entire 5-ounce package of pepperoni slices across the cheese, covering most of the surface.
- Sprinkle the ½ cup of Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano over the top for an extra flavor boost.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated 375°F oven and bake for exactly 22 minutes, watching for golden, bubbling cheese.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to settle.
Notes
- Swap pepperoni for turkey pepperoni or veggie pepperoni to make the dish lighter and more diet-friendly.
- Fresh mozzarella creates a creamier texture, while pre-shredded cheese melts more uniformly in the casserole.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to boost nutritional value and create more depth of flavor.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier, preventing the cheese from running everywhere.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg