Description
A delicious and easy-to-make Cheesy Pizza Casserole that combines pasta, meat, and cheese for a delightful dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni or rotini)
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage until browned. Drain excess fat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, and sliced pepperoni. Mix well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
- Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the meat with chopped vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings, such as olives, mushrooms, or cooked bacon, to customize the flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg