Description
Mama’s Pizza Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make baked pasta dish that combines savory ground beef or Italian sausage with classic pizza flavors like marinara sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole brings all the deliciousness of pizza in a hearty, cheesy pasta bake.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) pizza or marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (rotini or penne)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Cook Meat and Garlic: Add minced garlic and ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking the meat into small pieces with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.
- Add Sauce and Seasoning: Stir in the pizza or marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese for extra creaminess.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly top the casserole with the remaining mozzarella cheese, sliced pepperoni, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving to allow the flavors to set and to avoid burns.
Notes
- You can customize this casserole by mixing in your favorite pizza toppings such as mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking for a convenient and quick weeknight dinner option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
