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Easy Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake Casserole

A close-up, appetizing slice of pizza pasta bake featuring rotini pasta, rich sauce, melted mozzarella, and pepperoni slices.
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This recipe brings the flavor of your favorite pepperoni pizza into a comforting, easy-to-make pasta casserole. It is a family favorite perfect for busy weeknights and tastes great as leftovers.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage or ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and water. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
  6. Stir the cooked pasta and the sliced pepperoni into the sauce mixture. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  7. Stir in 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and all of the Parmesan cheese into the pasta mixture until combined.
  8. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes

  • For a high protein meal prep favorite, use lean ground turkey or chicken sausage in place of beef or pork sausage.
  • You can assemble this entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to the bake time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
  • This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and a glass of medium-bodied Italian red wine.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/pizza-pasta-bake-recipe/