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