Description
Hearty “pizza pasta casserole” delivers an irresistible Italian-American fusion that combines cheesy pasta with classic pizza toppings. Melted mozzarella, savory pepperoni, and zesty marinara sauce create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 16 ounces (454 grams) rotini pasta
- 36 ounces (1021 grams) marinara sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Protein and Vegetable Additions:
- 1 6 ounces (170 grams) pepperoni, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 20 whole pepperoni slices
Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F and coating a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly without rinsing.
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, seasoning with Italian herbs, garlic powder, and salt. Eliminate excess fat after cooking.
- Combine cooked pasta, seasoned beef, chopped pepperoni (keeping 20 slices aside), diced green pepper, diced onion, marinara sauce, and two cups of mozzarella in a large mixing bowl. Mix until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even layer. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove casserole from oven and sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over the top. Arrange reserved pepperoni slices across the surface.
- Return to oven and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
Notes
- Prevent pasta from sticking by stirring occasionally during cooking and using a large pot with plenty of water.
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to reduce excess grease and ensure a crispy, not soggy, casserole texture.
- Customize by swapping pepperoni with turkey pepperoni for a leaner option or adding vegetables like mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Make ahead by assembling the casserole and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which helps flavors meld together beautifully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg