Pizza Casserole Easy and Kid Pleasing

Transform dinner into a family favorite with this 'Pizza Casserole Easy and Kid Pleasing' recipe that combines all the best flavors of pizza into a comforting baked dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, this simple casserole layers tender rotini pasta, savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, all crowned with classic pizza toppings like pepperoni, bell peppers, and black olives. With just 15 minutes of prep and a quick bake, this dish offers a crowd-pleasing, kid-approved twist on traditional pizza that’s as satisfying as it is effortless. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or looking for a make-ahead meal, this cheesy pasta bake has you covered!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Rotini pasta
• 1 pound Ground Italian sausage
• 24 ounces Marinara or pizza sauce
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Sliced pepperoni
• 1 cup Diced bell peppers
• 0.5 cup Sliced black olives
• 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 as needed Cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground Italian sausage until fully browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.

Step 4

Stir the marinara or pizza sauce into the cooked sausage, along with the dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the layer.

Step 7

Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese.

Step 8

Evenly distribute the pepperoni slices, diced bell peppers, and sliced black olives over the top of the casserole.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2325.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5637.5

Total Fat 342.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 141.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 858.0mg	0%
Sodium 15020.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 384.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.4g	0%
Total Sugars 67.7g
Protein 252.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2914.3mg	0%
Iron 33.1mg	0%
Potassium 5474.4mg	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: 54.7%

Protein: 17.9%

Carbs: 27.3%