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One-Pot Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake for Weeknight Dinner

A square serving of baked pizza pasta casserole topped with melted mozzarella and pepperoni slices.
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Make this easy pizza pasta bake for a comforting, cheesy meal that captures all your favorite pizza tastes. This recipe is designed for busy weeknights and minimizes cleanup by cooking mostly in one pot before baking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed (or ground beef)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup mini pepperoni slices
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Stir in the dry pasta until it is fully submerged in the sauce. Cover the skillet and cook on low heat for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is mostly tender.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the mini pepperoni slices, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
  7. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
  8. Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a supreme flavor, add sliced black olives or bell peppers along with the onions in Step 2.
  • You can substitute ground beef for the Italian sausage if preferred.
  • This casserole freezes well; assemble completely, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://pureplatepath.com/easy-pizza-pasta-bake-comfort-dinner/