Go Back
Easy Pizza Pasta Bake Recipe for a Cheesy Family Dinner

Easy Pizza Pasta Bake

This family-friendly casserole combines saucy pasta, seasoned meat, pepperoni, tomatoes, and mozzarella in one bubbling 9-by-13-inch dish. It serves 6 to 8 and is ready in about 45 minutes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12-16 ounces Rotini, penne, or other short pasta
  • 1 pound Italian sausage or lean ground beef
  • 1 small Small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
Sauce and Seasoning
  • 24 ounces Pizza sauce or marinara sauce
  • 14-15 ounces Diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt, plus more for pasta water
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
Cheese and Toppings
  • 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 cup Sliced pepperoni, divided
  • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Add-Ins
  • Optional Sliced black olives, bell pepper, mushrooms, red pepper flakes, or fresh basil

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta in salted water until just al dente, usually 1 to 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain well.
  3. Meanwhile, brown the Italian sausage or lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. Stir in the pizza sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
  6. Combine the cooked pasta with the meat and sauce mixture. Stir in about 1 cup of mozzarella and half of the pepperoni.
  7. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and remaining pepperoni.
  8. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
  9. Rest the casserole for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can settle slightly and each portion is easier to scoop.

Notes

For a larger, saucier casserole, use 16 ounces of pasta and increase the sauce to 28 ounces. Slightly undercook the pasta, place pepperoni under and over the cheese, and drain cooked meat well for a less greasy result.