Description

Enjoy the ultimate Pepperoni Pizza Casserole—a cheesy, delicious, and easy-to-make dish perfect for family dinners. This crowd-pleasing casserole is packed with classic pizza flavors, layered with pasta, marinara sauce, melted cheese, and crispy pepperoni. Try this comforting, kid-friendly meal today!

Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
6 oz pepperoni slices
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Add-Ins:

½ lb ground beef or Italian sausage, cooked and drained
1 cup bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives, sliced
½ tsp red pepper flakes, for spice

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Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add pasta and cook until al dente (firm but tender).
Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
If using ground beef or sausage, cook until browned and drain excess fat.
Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta.
Pour half of the sauce over the pasta.
Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Repeat with another layer of pasta, sauce, and cheese.
Top with pepperoni slices and any extra toppings.

Step 4: Bake & Serve

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes until cheese is bubbly.
Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting.
Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushy texture.
Pre-cook extra toppings like mushrooms or sausage to remove excess moisture.
Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to set the layers.
Customize it! Add your favorite pizza toppings like onions, olives, or bell peppers.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes