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Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

Close-up of a thick slice of baked pizza pasta casserole topped with melted cheese, pepperoni, and herbs.
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You deserve a satisfying, cheesy comfort food dish that captures all your favorite pizza tastes but comes together with simple assembly. This baked pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and is a guaranteed family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound penne or rotini pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed (or ground beef)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce or pizza sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices (or full size, halved)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, oregano, and basil, and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, water, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked pasta, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese until everything is well combined.
  7. Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Scatter the pepperoni slices over the cheese layer.
  8. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a supreme pizza flavor, add 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms and 1/4 cup sliced black olives when you mix in the sauce.
  • You can prepare this entire dish ahead of time. Assemble it completely, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to the bake time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
  • This recipe freezes well. Cool the baked casserole completely, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or bake from frozen at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45 minutes, covered.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://bringdish.com/easy-pizza-pasta-bake-recipe/