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Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Casserole

A cheesy baked pasta casserole loaded with pepperoni, rich tomato sauce, savory meat, and melted mozzarella for the ultimate pizza-inspired comfort food dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Calories: 680
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Bake
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 3 cups marinara or pizza sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp salt to taste
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper to taste
Cheese and Toppings
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 cup pepperoni sliced
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Baking dish
  • Mixing spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
  2. Cook pasta until al dente and drain.
  3. Cook ground beef or sausage in olive oil until browned.
  4. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  5. Stir in marinara sauce and seasonings, simmering for 5 minutes.
  6. Combine pasta with sauce mixture.
  7. Layer pasta and cheese in baking dish.
  8. Top with pepperoni slices and remaining cheese.
  9. Bake until bubbly and golden brown.

Notes

Customize with your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, olives, peppers, or extra cheese for even more flavor.