Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love pizza and pasta, this casserole is the perfect mash-up. It’s quick to assemble, budget-friendly, and incredibly satisfying. You can tailor it to your favorite pizza toppings and it’s great for making ahead or freezing. It’s everything you love about pizza—just in casserole form.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni work best)
- Ground beef or Italian sausage
- Pepperoni slices
- Pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional for extra flavor)
- Olive oil
- Onion (diced)
- Garlic (minced)
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Optional toppings: mushrooms, bell peppers, black olives, cooked bacon, jalapeños
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté diced onion until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in pizza sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, meat sauce, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
- Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella, cheddar (if using), and pepperoni slices. Add any additional toppings you like.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 6 servings.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Use ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter version.
- Swap in alfredo sauce and chicken for a white pizza twist.
- Make it spicy with hot Italian sausage and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Add ricotta or cottage cheese for a lasagna-like layer.
- Use gluten-free pasta and check labels for gluten-free pepperoni and sauce if needed.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes or microwave individual servings for 1–2 minutes.
To freeze, assemble the casserole (without baking), wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking as directed.
FAQs
What kind of pasta works best?
Short pasta like penne, rotini, or rigatoni holds the sauce and cheese well.
Can I use jarred pizza sauce?
Yes, store-bought pizza sauce or marinara both work great.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the casserole and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze pizza casserole?
Absolutely. It freezes well both before and after baking.
What meats work well in this dish?
Ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, bacon, or shredded chicken all work wonderfully.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, omit the meat and load up with veggies like mushrooms, peppers, and olives.
How do I keep the pasta from getting mushy?
Cook it just until al dente, since it will continue cooking in the oven.
Can I add extra cheese?
Of course! Mix some into the pasta and sauce and pile more on top for a super cheesy casserole.
What are the best toppings?
Classic pizza toppings like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and olives are all delicious choices.
Is this casserole kid-friendly?
Very! It’s cheesy, familiar, and easy to customize to your kids’ favorite pizza flavors.
Conclusion
Pizza Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mash-up—easy, cheesy, and completely satisfying. Whether you’re feeding a family, prepping meals ahead, or simply craving pizza in a new form, this casserole delivers bold flavor and cozy goodness in every bite. Try it once, and it’ll quickly become a dinner staple.
PrintPizza Casserole
Pizza Casserole is a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that combines pasta, meat, cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings in a cheesy, saucy oven-baked casserole. It’s everything you love about pizza and pasta in one easy meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 2 cups pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional toppings: sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, black olives, cooked bacon, jalapeños
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, meat sauce, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese, then layer pepperoni and optional toppings.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter version.
- Add ricotta or cottage cheese for a lasagna-style twist.
- To freeze, assemble without baking, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 2 months.
- Vegetarian? Omit meat and load up on veggies like mushrooms and peppers.
- Great make-ahead meal—assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
