Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe for Family Dinner Fun

Whipping up a delectable pepperoni pizza casserole can turn an ordinary dinner into a mouthwatering celebration of comfort food.

Layers of gooey cheese, zesty tomato sauce, and crispy pepperoni create a hearty meal that screams pure indulgence.

Pasta serves as the perfect base for this crowd-pleasing dish that combines all the classic pizza flavors you adore.

Melted mozzarella stretches with each forkful, promising a delightful experience for everyone at the table.

Weeknight meals become instantly more exciting with this simple yet satisfying recipe.

Families and friends will devour every single bite, asking for seconds before the first plate is even empty.

You won’t be able to resist this irresistible casserole that brings the pizzeria right to your kitchen.

Why Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Is a Family Favorite

• Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Highlights
• This casserole takes just 45 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy weeknight dinners when time is tight.
• Combines two favorite foods – pasta and pizza – into one delicious dish that children and adults will absolutely love, making mealtime a breeze.
• Uses only one skillet and a baking dish, reducing kitchen mess and saving precious time on dishwashing after cooking.
• Allows flexible ingredient swaps like different meats, cheeses, or adding extra veggies, making it adaptable to family preferences and pantry ingredients.

What You’ll Need for Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

• Pasta: Foundation of the casserole, best with medium-sized shapes for easy eating.
• Salt: Enhances pasta flavor during cooking.

• Ground Beef, Italian Sausage: Rich protein base with great meaty flavor, choose lean options for less grease.
• Onion, Garlic: Classic aromatics that build deep savory flavor, fresh is always better than pre-chopped.
• Marinara Sauce, Pizza Sauce: Primary moisture and flavor carrier, can substitute with homemade sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: Adds authentic pizza-like herb profile, dried blend works perfectly.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing flavors.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy melting cheese that creates classic stretchy pizza texture, shredded works best.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty accent to the dish, freshly grated recommended.
• Pepperoni Slices: Traditional pizza topping that provides spicy, savory crunch.
• Optional Toppings (Black Olives, Bell Peppers, Mushrooms): Fresh additions for extra flavor and texture variation.

How to Put Together Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

Step 1: Boil the Pasta Base

Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Toss in a pinch of salt and bring it to a rolling boil. Drop in your pasta and cook until it’s perfectly tender. Drain the water and set the pasta aside.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Meat Sauce

• Dice up an onion
• Drop in the chopped onion
• Add minced garlic

Cook until the onions turn soft and translucent. Drain any extra grease from the pan. Pour in pizza sauce and sprinkle in Italian seasoning. Give everything a good stir and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Step 3: Layer the Delicious Casserole

• First layer: Half the pasta mixture
• Sprinkle mozzarella cheese
• Add pepperoni slices
• Repeat the layers
• Top with Parmesan cheese

Step 4: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into a preheated oven at 350F. Bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

• Black olives
• Diced bell peppers
• Sliced mushrooms

Dig in and savor every cheesy, pepperoni-packed bite!

Tips to Get That Melty, Cheesy Top

• Customize Pasta Selection: Choose whole wheat or gluten-free pasta for healthier or dietary-specific versions of this casserole.
• Manage Meat Options: Swap ground beef with turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives to reduce fat or accommodate vegetarian preferences.
• Control Cheese Meltability: Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help cheese set and create easier, cleaner serving portions.
• Boost Flavor Complexity: Mix different cheese types like provolone or cheddar with mozzarella for more robust and interesting taste profiles.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Assemble casserole earlier in the day and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Pizza Casserole

• Store leftover pizza casserole in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Let the dish cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation.
• Reheat individual portions by microwaving on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a splash of water to prevent dryness.
• Warm the entire casserole in a 350F oven, covered with foil, for 15-20 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes to crisp up the top layer of cheese and pepperoni.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Side Ideas for Pizza Casserole Night

• Select a robust Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, savory pepperoni and tomato sauce flavors, cutting through the cheese's richness.
• Toss crisp mixed greens with a zesty Italian vinaigrette to balance the casserole's hearty profile, adding lightness and acidity to the meal.
• Prepare warm, buttery garlic bread with herbs to soak up extra sauce and provide a crunchy texture contrast to the creamy, cheesy casserole.
• Choose a cold, hoppy Italian-style lager or amber ale that matches the pizza-inspired dish's comfort food essence, refreshing the palate between bites.

Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Variations Worth Trying

• Veggie Lovers Pizza Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu or lentils, add extra vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, and bell peppers for a nutritious vegetarian version.
• Gluten-Free Pizza Casserole: Substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa, ensuring the marinara sauce is certified gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Pizza Casserole: Swap traditional pasta with riced cauliflower or cauliflower florets, reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the classic pizza flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwestern Pizza Casserole: Incorporate ground turkey, add jalapeños, swap marinara for salsa, sprinkle pepper jack cheese, and garnish with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern-inspired variation.

Got Pizza Casserole Questions? Let’s Answer Them

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, pepperoni pizza casserole is perfect for kids because it combines two favorites – pasta and pizza. Children love the cheesy, meaty flavors and the familiar pepperoni topping that makes mealtime fun and delicious.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

• What protein options work best for this recipe?

Ground beef and Italian sausage are ideal, but you can also use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version. Each protein brings a slightly different flavor profile to the casserole.

• How can I make this dish spicier?

Add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce or use spicy pepperoni slices. You can also incorporate hot Italian sausage instead of regular ground meat to increase the heat level.

Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Comfort meets Italian flair in this hearty pepperoni pizza casserole, blending classic pizza flavors with casserole convenience. Layers of pasta, zesty sauce, melted cheese, and crispy pepperoni create a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 cup (100 grams) sliced pepperoni
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini or penne pasta
• 1 (24-ounce/680 grams) jar marinara or pizza sauce
• 2 cups (200 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Toppings:

• Sliced black olives
• Diced bell peppers
• Sliced mushrooms

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Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to a moderate 350F (175C), preparing a welcoming environment for the culinary creation.
2. Submerge pasta in a generously salted boiling water bath, cooking until it reaches a tender al dente consistency. Carefully drain and set aside.
3. In a spacious skillet, transform ground meat over medium heat, browning it to a rich, caramelized state.
4. Introduce diced onions to the skillet, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence for 3-4 minutes.
5. Incorporate minced garlic, letting it dance in the pan for a brief moment to awaken its flavor profile.
6. Eliminate excess fatty residue from the meat mixture, ensuring a cleaner base for the sauce.
7. Flood the skillet with marinara sauce, sprinkling Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 5 minutes.
8. In a generous mixing vessel, unite the cooked pasta with the robust meat sauce, ensuring every pasta strand is lovingly coated.
9. Transfer half of the pasta-sauce symphony into a greased 9×13-inch baking vessel.
10. Cascade a blanket of mozzarella cheese across the pasta layer.
11. Artfully arrange pepperoni slices to create a savory mosaic.
12. Repeat the layering process with remaining pasta, cheese, and pepperoni.
13. Crown the creation with a dusting of Parmesan cheese.
14. Drape aluminum foil over the dish, then slide into the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
15. Unveil the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden landscape.
16. Rescue from the oven and allow a brief resting period to settle the flavors.
17. Optional: Embellish with black olives, bell peppers, or mushrooms for added complexity.
18. Serve piping hot, inviting eager diners to indulge in this comforting pizza-inspired casserole.

Notes

• Choose short pasta shapes like penne or rotini for better cheese and sauce coating, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
• Drain pasta thoroughly to prevent watery casserole, shaking colander gently to remove excess moisture.
• Consider using lean ground turkey or chicken for a healthier protein option without compromising taste.
• For gluten-free version, swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and verify sauce ingredients are gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg