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Pizza Pasta Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 135 reviews

This pizza pasta casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish combining al dente rotini pasta with savory Italian sausage, ground beef, sautéed onions and peppers, rich spaghetti sauce, pepperoni, and melted mozzarella cheese. Baked to perfection, it’s a comforting meal that brings together the best of pizza and pasta in one easy casserole.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 5 cups rotini pasta (cooked al dente)

Meat

  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 4 oz pepperoni

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1/2 cup green peppers, diced
  • 1/2 cup white onions, diced
  • 1 tbsp butter

Sauce & Liquids

  • 24 oz jar spaghetti sauce
  • 4 oz water

Cheese

  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta: Boil rotini pasta according to package instructions but cook for 1-2 minutes less than the minimum time to keep it al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
  2. Brown meats: In a skillet or pan, brown the Italian sausage and ground beef together, breaking up the meat until fully cooked. Drain the meat over a bowl to remove excess fat.
  3. Sauté vegetables: In the now-empty meat pan, melt the butter and sauté the diced onions and green peppers until they are soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, spaghetti sauce, browned meat, sautéed vegetables, and 4 oz of water. Dice all but 10 slices of pepperoni and add these diced pieces into the mixture. Stir everything thoroughly to combine.
  5. Prepare casserole: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Pour the pasta mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.
  6. Add cheese and pepperoni: Sprinkle the 2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Then place the remaining 10 slices of pepperoni on top as a garnish.
  7. Bake casserole: Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can add Italian seasoning or garlic powder to the meat while browning.
  • Make sure to drain the pasta well and rinse it to prevent the casserole from becoming mushy.
  • You can substitute other pasta types such as penne or ziti if preferred.
  • Use low-fat cheese or turkey sausage for a lighter version.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set and make serving easier.

Keywords: pizza pasta casserole, baked pasta, Italian sausage casserole, mozzarella pasta bake, comfort food casserole

Find it online: https://lieblingsmahlzeit.com/pizza-pasta-casserole-recipe/