Simple Pizza Casserole

Get ready to elevate dinnertime with this family-friendly Simple Pizza Casserole—a hearty, baked dish that brings the best of pizza and pasta together in one pan! Perfectly cooked pasta is combined with savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and layers of melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, all crowned with crispy pepperoni and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Infused with classic pizza flavors like garlic and Italian seasoning, this casserole is as easy to prepare as it is delicious. With just 15 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of bake time, this comforting, cheesy meal is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve it hot and watch it disappear! Keywords: pizza casserole, baked pasta dish, cheesy casserole, easy dinner recipes, family-friendly meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti)
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 24 ounces marinara or pizza sauce
• 6 ounces pepperoni slices
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook until browned and crumbled, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.

Step 4

Stir the marinara or pizza sauce into the cooked sausage, then mix in the 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 evenly coated.

Step 6

In a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish, spread half of the pasta mixture evenly on the bottom.

Step 7

Layer half of the pepperoni slices over the pasta. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top.

Step 8

Add the remaining pasta mixture as the next layer, followed by the rest of the pepperoni slices. Top with the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.

Step 9

Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 10

Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 12

Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2043.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4564.8

Total Fat 307.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 133.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 826.0mg	0%
Sodium 13552.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 210.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.1g	0%
Total Sugars 52.8g
Protein 237.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3216.7mg	0%
Iron 20.0mg	0%
Potassium 4202.6mg	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: 60.7%

Protein: 20.8%

Carbs: 18.5%