Pizza Pasta Bake

Looking for the ultimate comfort food mashup? This Pizza Pasta Bake combines the best of two world-class favorites—pizza and pasta—into one irresistible, cheesy casserole that's perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Tender penne or rigatoni is coated in a rich, savory pizza sauce packed with ground Italian sausage, sautéed onions, and garlic, then layered with gooey mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for the perfect cheesy crust. Topped with fresh basil for a bright pop of flavor, this easy-to-make dish bakes to bubbly, golden perfection in just 30 minutes. Whether you're meal-prepping or feeding a crowd, this hearty pasta bake is guaranteed to satisfy pizza and pasta lovers alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage (or ground beef)
• 2.5 cups pizza sauce
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup pepperoni slices
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
• 0 fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until fully browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease if necessary.

Step 6

Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes.

Step 7

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

Step 8

Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

Step 9

Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, the pepperoni slices, and the shredded parmesan cheese.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the bake cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

Step 12

Serve warm and enjoy your Pizza Pasta Bake!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2057.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4497.2

Total Fat 304.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 118.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 807.8mg	0%
Sodium 16306.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 209.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.7g	0%
Total Sugars 52.9g
Protein 223.5g	0%

Vitamin D 12IU	0%
Calcium 2692.1mg	0%
Iron 28.2mg	0%
Potassium 5848.2mg	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: 61.3%

Protein: 20.0%

Carbs: 18.8%