Description
This hearty Pizza Pasta Casserole combines the flavors of classic pepperoni pizza with comforting pasta baked in a delicious marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a family dinner, this dish is easy to prepare and offers a cheesy, savory meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare it for the casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Brown Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add Pepperoni and Sauce: Stir in the sliced pepperoni and marinara sauce into the cooked beef. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and stir gently to coat all the pasta with the beef and marinara sauce mixture evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the pasta mixture into the greased baking dish. Evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Season: Sprinkle garlic powder and dried oregano evenly over the cheese layer for added flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly for 5 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and avoid burns. Enjoy your comforting pizza pasta casserole!
Notes
- For extra vegetables, consider adding chopped bell peppers or mushrooms when browning the beef.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you need to make this dish gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
