Description
A comforting and easy-to-make Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta Bake featuring penne pasta tossed in a flavorful marinara sauce with mini pepperoni, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for a family-friendly weeknight dinner with customizable options to add extra veggies or swap proteins.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Meats and Cheese
- 1 cup mini pepperoni (plus extra for topping)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pasta casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the pasta until just al dente, about 1–2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Pepperoni: Add the cooked pasta and mini pepperoni to the sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat evenly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly and pour in the pasta mixture, spreading it evenly.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta. Add extra mini pepperoni slices if desired for a more pronounced pepperoni flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and golden in spots.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving to add a fresh herbaceous note.
Notes
- Swap mini pepperoni with spicy sausage or turkey pepperoni for a different protein twist.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or other veggies for extra nutrition and flavor.
- This dish freezes well; you can assemble it ahead of time, freeze before baking, and bake directly from frozen with slightly extended cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
