Description
A delicious and easy-to-make Cheesy Pizza Pasta Casserole that combines the flavors of pizza with pasta for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the pizza sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat and sauce mixture. Mix well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
- Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and half of the pepperoni slices. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms or extra vegetables like zucchini and spinach.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings such as olives, mushrooms, or jalapeños for extra flavor and variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg