Print

Easy One-Pan Cheesy Pizza Pasta Casserole

Close-up of a serving of baked pizza casserole featuring penne pasta, marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and pepperoni slices.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make this simple pizza casserole for a comforting, cheesy dinner that tastes just like your favorite pizza, baked right in one pan. It is perfect for quick family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar pizza sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 1/2 cups water or broth
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices (or more, to taste)
  • 1/2 cup chopped vegetables (like bell peppers or onions, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ground meat in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir the Italian seasoning and garlic powder into the cooked meat.
  4. Add the pizza sauce, drained diced tomatoes, and water or broth to the skillet with the meat. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Stir in the dry pasta until it is fully coated with the sauce mixture.
  6. Pour the entire contents of the skillet into the prepared baking dish.
  7. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the mozzarella cheese and all of the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.
  8. Scatter the pepperoni slices and any optional vegetables over the cheese layer.
  9. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  10. Bake for 30 minutes.
  11. Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.
  12. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned, and the pasta is tender.
  13. Let the pizza casserole rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a meat-lover’s version, use a mix of cooked ground beef and crumbled sausage.
  • If you prefer a biscuit dough variation, skip the pasta and layer the sauce, meat, and cheese between layers of canned biscuit dough pieces instead.
  • You can prepare this casserole ahead of time. Assemble everything, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add about 10 minutes to the covered baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/easy-one-pan-pizza-casserole-comfort/