Macaroni Pizza Casserole

Transform weeknight dinners into a mouthwatering masterpiece with this Macaroni Pizza Casserole! Combining the comforting flavors of cheesy baked pasta with the irresistible allure of pizza, this dish is a family-favorite hybrid that delivers on all fronts. Tender elbow macaroni is coated in a rich, savory sauce made with browned Italian sausage, sautéed onions, and garlic, then layered with gooey mozzarella, sharp Parmesan, and a crispy topping of pepperoni slices. Baked to golden perfection, this casserole is seasoned with classic Italian herbs for a true pizzeria-inspired finish. Perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping for leftovers, this baked pasta dish comes together in just 45 minutes and serves six hearty portions. Add this simple and satisfying recipe to your rotation for a dinner that's sure to please kids and adults alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Elbow macaroni
• 1 pound Ground Italian sausage
• 1 Yellow onion, diced
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• 24 ounces Pizza sauce
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup Shredded Parmesan cheese
• 20 slices Sliced pepperoni
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook until it is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is softened.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.

Step 6

Pour the pizza sauce into the skillet and stir to combine with the sausage mixture. Season with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the sausage and sauce mixture. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Pour the macaroni mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 9

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and shredded Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta.

Step 10

Top the casserole with an even layer of pepperoni slices.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the pepperoni is slightly crisp.

Step 12

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 13

Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1814.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4000.7

Total Fat 233.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 90.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 587.0mg	0%
Sodium 13684.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 284.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.2g	0%
Total Sugars 57.7g
Protein 197.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2501.6mg	0%
Iron 29.3mg	0%
Potassium 5678.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.1%

Protein: 19.6%

Carbs: 28.3%