Pepperoni Cheese Bake

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Pepperoni Cheese Bake, a mouthwatering fusion of cheesy goodness and savory pepperoni tucked into layers of flavorful rigatoni pasta. This easy-to-make, family-friendly recipe combines tender pasta with a rich marinara sauce enhanced by garlic, oregano, and a touch of red pepper flakes for a delightful kick. Loaded with melty mozzarella, nutty Parmesan, and perfectly crisp pepperoni slices, this baked pasta dish achieves golden, bubbly perfection in just 30 minutes of cooking time. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings, this hearty bake is sure to become a household favorite. Garnish with fresh basil for a pop of color and serve it warm – comfort food never tasted so good!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams Rigatoni pasta
• 2 cups Marinara sauce
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 120 grams Pepperoni slices
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet and add the oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni with the marinara sauce and half of the shredded mozzarella. Gently stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 6

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the dish, then sprinkle with half of the Parmesan cheese.

Step 7

Add a layer of pepperoni slices, followed by the remaining half of the pasta mixture. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Step 8

Arrange the remaining pepperoni slices evenly on top of the dish.

Step 9

Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 10

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Optionally, sprinkle with fresh chopped basil before serving.

Step 11

Serve warm and enjoy your Pepperoni Cheese Bake!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1362.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2562.4

Total Fat 151.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 344.6mg	0%
Sodium 7181.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 170.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.2g	0%
Total Sugars 18.6g
Protein 120.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2186.3mg	0%
Iron 10.9mg	0%
Potassium 824.8mg	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: 54.0%

Protein: 19.1%

Carbs: 27.0%