This pepperoni pizza pasta bake combines two Italian-American comfort foods into one irresistible casserole.
Every bite is loaded with zesty Italian sausage, meaty pepperoni, and plenty of gooey melted cheese.
It delivers all your favorite pizza flavors in hearty pasta form – perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Pizza Pasta Bake
Cheesy & Comforting: Loaded with mozzarella, Parmesan, and savory pizza flavors, even the kids will want seconds.
Simple & Satisfying: You’ll make the pasta in one pot and the rest in another. Then combine and bake. Easy peasy.
Customizable: Add your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives for a personalized twist.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready for an effortless meal!
Ingredients
- Pasta: Use short pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or rotini. And remember to undercook it so it doesn’t overcook while baking.
- Italian Sausage: Adds rich, savory flavor with a hint of spice. Choose mild or spicy depending on your taste preference.
- Olive Oil: To sauté the sausage and vegetables.
- Pepperoni Slices: Provides a classic pizza-like flavor.
- Onion & Garlic: These aromatic add depth of flavor and a subtle sweetness, balancing the sausage and pepperoni.
- Pizza Sauce: A flavorful tomato-based sauce that brings a familiar pizza taste to the pasta bake. Marinara can be used as a substitute.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning provides herbal notes, and red pepper flakes add heat.
- Mozzarella & Parmesan Mozzarella melts beautifully for a gooey texture, while Parmesan adds sharpness and salt.
How to Make Pizza Pasta Bake
This cozy, cheesy masterpiece is comfort food at its finest, and it’s guaranteed to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
Here’s how to make it:
1. PREHEAT the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. COOK the pasta until 2 minutes before al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
3. BROWN the sausage and onion, breaking up the meat as it cooks, for about 8-10 minutes.
4. ADD the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. MIX in the pizza sauce, half the pepperoni, 1 cup mozzarella, and cooked pasta until well coated. Transfer to the baking dish.
6. TOP with remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and pepperoni slices. Cover with foil.
7. BAKE for 20 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
8. REST for 5-10 minutes before serving. Pair with garlic bread, and enjoy!
Tips For the Best Pizza Pasta Bake
I’ve been making this for my family on busy weeknights, and it’s quickly become our favorite comfort food mash-up.
There’s something magical about pulling a bubbling dish from the oven, with that golden cheese top and those crispy pepperoni edges.
My kitchen smells like an Italian restaurant, and I’m not mad about it!
Check out these tips, then let’s get cooking!
- Brown the sausage well. It’ll develop rich, caramelized flavors.
- Simmer the sauce. Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Don’t skip the seasoning. Pizza sauce is seasoned, but don’t skip the extras. And feel free to add salt and pepper if you think it’s needed.
- Make it extra cheesy. Layer the dish like lasagna: pasta and sauce, cheese, repeat. If you want more cheesy flavor, add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar.
- Make ahead and meal prepping. Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate. Add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time when ready to bake.
- Variations. Transform the basic recipe with different proteins (ground beef, chicken) and vegetables (mushrooms, spinach). Or create theme variations like BBQ chicken or buffalo chicken pizza pasta bake.
How to Store
While you can freeze leftovers, I don’t recommend it. Between the cheese and pasta, it’s likely to become grainy and mushy after thawing.
Here’s how to store it:
To Store: Place leftover pizza pasta bake in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
To Reheat: Microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Or bake larger portions at 350°Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent the top from drying out.
More Pasta Bakes Your Family Will Love
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Pizza Pasta Bake
8
servings20
minutes40
minutes634
kcalEvery bite of this savory pizza pasta bake is loaded with Italian sausage, pepperoni, and gooey mozzarella cheese. It’s perfect for a family dinner!
Ingredients
12 ounces penne, rigatoni, or rotini pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
1 (24 ounce) jar pizza or marinara sauce
12 ounces pepperoni slices, divided
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook the pasta per the package instructions until 2 minutes before al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and onion, breaking the meat up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until the meat is browned and the onions are soft, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and stir for 1-2 minutes. Mix in the pizza sauce, half of the pepperoni slices, 1 cup mozzarella, and the cooked pasta until well coated.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and the rest of the pepperoni slices.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm with garlic bread, and enjoy!
Notes
- Choose short, sturdy pasta shapes that hold up to the heavy sauce and toppings. Penne, rigatoni, or rotini are fantastic options.
- Make it vegetarian by replacing the sausage and pepperoni with sautéed mushrooms, black olives, and bell peppers.
