This pizza casserole recipe features tender pasta baked with seasoned meat, pepperoni, green peppers, olives, and mushrooms. It’s all covered in a flavorful tomato sauce, and topped with lots of melty mozzarella cheese. If you’ve never baked pizza pasta before, you need to save this recipe for pizza casserole right now! It’s so simple to make and everyone always asks for seconds. I have more pizza recipes for you to try! Check out my homemade pizza dough recipe so that you can make any style of pizza you like. Or instead, try a different twist and make these pepperoni pizza sliders.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe For Pizza Casserole
Ingredients In Pizza Casserole
Here’s what you need to make this amazing baked pizza pasta: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pasta: Any type of short pasta works here. I’m using penne, but you can try shells, macaroni, bowties (farfalle), or ziti. Ground Beef or Sausage: Use lean ground beef or bulk Italian sausage. Ground turkey or chicken can also be used. Seasonings: Oregano, salt, and pepper plus fresh garlic and onion give your meat sauce tons of flavor. For even more Italian flavor, use Italian seasoning instead of just dried oregano. Veggies: Mushrooms, bell pepper, and black olives are the veggies I’d want on my pizza, so they are added in here! Pizza Sauce: Buy your favorite brand of pizza sauce, or make your own! There are simple instructions in my Pepperoni Pizza recipe. Pepperoni: You can buy sliced pepperoni, or a whole link and slice it yourself. Most of it will be stirred into the pasta, and a few are added on top of the cheese for a fun presentation. Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded low-moisture mozzarella works best to top this cheesy dish.
How To Make Pizza Casserole
Recipe Tips
Don’t overcook the pasta. You want the pasta to be fully cooked, but not at all mushy. It will continue to cook as the casserole bakes. Drain any excess grease from the meat before adding the other ingredients. If you use lean meat, this won’t be necessary.Add additional toppings to the casserole if you like! Save some sliced veggies to include with the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese. You can leave out the olives, mushrooms, or peppers if your family won’t enjoy them. Replace with other veggies if you like.
Storing Tips
Keep leftover pizza casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Servings reheat well using the microwave. To Make Ahead: You can make this dish ahead in two different ways: If you have already baked the casserole, wrap it well and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat, covered with foil for 30 minutes in a 350°F/180°C oven. Assembled but not baked, pizza casserole can be covered and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake the cold casserole as directed here, adding 10 minutes to the cooking time. If frozen, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight first.
What To Serve With Pizza Casserole
Salad: A fresh green salad is delicious on the side of this cheesy pizza pasta meal. Try a simple tossed salad, mixed greens drizzled with creamy balsamic dressing, or a copycat Olive Garden salad. Bread: You might want to make some easy garlic bread or homemade rolls to make sure that everyone gets nice and full! Dessert: Make a tasty sweet treat that kids and adults will devour! Chocolate Jello Pudding Pie and Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are always a big hit. Everyone loves pizza, so everyone will love it when you make this Pizza Casserole too! Be sure to pin the recipe so you can make it soon! © Little Sunny Kitchen
