Description
This hearty pizza casserole brings all your favorite pizza flavors together in one easy-to-make dish that the whole family will love. Layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, gooey cheese, and classic pizza toppings bake into a bubbly comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups pasta, uncooked
- 1 jar pizza sauce (24 oz)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fire up your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grab a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sizzle 1 pound ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles as you cook.
- Toss in 1 chopped onion and 1 chopped bell pepper, sautéing until the vegetables soften and beef turns completely brown.
- Cook 2 cups of uncooked pasta in boiling water according to package directions until al dente, then drain thoroughly.
- Dump the cooked pasta into a spacious mixing bowl, combining it with the beef mixture, 24 oz pizza sauce, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Spread half of the pasta-beef mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
- Scatter 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and ½ cup pepperoni slices over the first layer.
- Pour the remaining pasta mixture on top, creating a second hearty layer.
- Crown the casserole with the final 1 cup of mozzarella and ½ cup pepperoni slices.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
Notes
- Check pasta doneness carefully to avoid overcooking, which can make the casserole mushy.
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease in the final dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey and use part-skim mozzarella cheese.
- Customize toppings by adding your favorite pizza ingredients like olives, mushrooms, or different meats.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 to 6
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg