📝 Description
A cheesy, hearty, and comforting dish that combines all the flavors of your favorite pizza into a baked pasta casserole. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or anytime you crave pizza in a cozy, gooey form. Quick to make, loaded with pepperoni, veggies, and melted cheese, this pizza pasta bake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
🛒 Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
- 1 cup pepperoni slices (or any preferred pizza meat)
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (red, green, yellow)
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare sauce: In a large bowl, combine marinara sauce, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix casserole: Add cooked pasta, pepperoni, bell peppers, and olives to the sauce. Stir until evenly coated.
- Assemble: Pour half of the pasta mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with remaining cheeses.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve: Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
💡 Tips
- Customize toppings: Add mushrooms, cooked sausage, or your favorite pizza toppings.
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole a day before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready.
- Extra cheesy: Mix some ricotta cheese into the pasta for a creamy texture.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure sauce is gluten-free.