Description

This Pepperoni Pizza Casserole brings all the cheesy, meaty goodness of your favorite pizza into an easy-to-make baked dish. It’s packed with pasta, marinara sauce, melted cheese, and plenty of pepperoni — perfect for feeding a crowd or making ahead for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

12 oz rotini or penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup sliced pepperoni
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
Stir in marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the baking dish. Top with half of the mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, and pepperoni slices.
Add the remaining pasta mixture, then top with the rest of the cheeses and pepperoni.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
Garnish with chopped basil or parsley before serving, if desired.

Notes

Add chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or black olives for extra “pizza” flavor.
Use turkey pepperoni or plant-based meat to lighten it up.

This dish freezes well — perfect for make-ahead meals.