If you’re a fan of pizza night but want something warm, bubbly, and just a little bit cozier, this Pizza Casserole Recipe is going to become your new best friend. Imagine layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, melty cheese, and all your favorite pizza toppings coming together in one dish that’s so easy to throw together on a busy weeknight. This recipe combines the irresistible flavors of classic pepperoni pizza with the hearty comfort of a baked casserole—so every bite is pure comfort (and a great way to use up whatever’s in your fridge). Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want plenty of leftovers, this is one dish you’ll make again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Pizza Casserole Recipe is simple, familiar, and plays an important role in making the final dish totally crave-worthy. You won’t need anything fancy—just these basics that pack a punch in flavor, texture, and cheesy goodness!
- Pasta (rotini or penne): The perfect bite-sized foundation that grabs onto all that delicious sauce and cheese.
- Ground beef: Adds hearty, savory depth and turns your casserole into a true main course.
- Salt: Just a touch brings out all the flavors in every layer of your dish.
- Black pepper: Kicks up the flavor just enough, pairing perfectly with the Italian seasoning.
- Italian seasoning: A classic herb mix that gives your casserole that unmistakable pizza fragrance.
- Marinara or pizza sauce: The glue that ties everything together while delivering tang and rich tomato goodness.
- Sliced pepperoni (plus more for topping): For that nostalgic pizza flavor—don’t be shy about adding extra on top!
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Essential for gooey stretch and melty, cheesy topping.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds extra flavor and a bit of sharpness to the cheese mix.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Finishes everything off with a salty, savory punch and golden color.
- Green bell pepper (chopped): A fresh, colorful nod to classic pizzeria toppings.
- Sliced black olives (optional): They add a salty pop and extra color for those who adore them!
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing: Prevents sticking, making both baking and cleanup a breeze.
How to Make Pizza Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pasta
Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your rotini or penne until it’s just al dente—it should have a little bite because it’ll keep cooking in the oven. Once done, drain well and set aside. This step gives you perfectly textured pasta that holds up beautifully in the casserole without getting mushy.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Heat a generous-sized skillet over medium and crumble in the ground beef. Cook until it’s nicely browned, breaking it apart as you go. Drain off the extra fat, then sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sauté for another minute so the flavors really meld—the kitchen will smell amazing at this point!
Step 3: Stir in the Sauce
Pour your favorite marinara or pizza sauce over the beef, stir everything together, and let it bubble for a minute or two before taking it off the heat. This makes the sauce extra savory and lets it soak up all that meaty goodness.
Step 4: Mix It All Together
Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the cooked pasta, beefy tomato sauce, half the pepperoni slices, the diced green bell pepper, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Toss everything together so every piece of pasta gets coated with that saucy, cheesy mixture.
Step 5: Assemble and Top
Spoon the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella, all of the cheddar and Parmesan, then lay on extra pepperoni for that iconic pizza look. If you’re using olives, now’s the time to scatter them over the top for pops of briny flavor.
Step 6: Bake to Bubbly Perfection
Pop your casserole in a preheated 375°F oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until everything’s melted, cheesy, and the edges are just a little bit crispy. Let it rest for about 5 minutes—you’ll be rewarded with neater slices and oozy cheese that’s not lava-hot!
How to Serve Pizza Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
The right garnish can transform your Pizza Casserole Recipe from homey comfort to showstopper. Sprinkle with a little extra grated Parmesan, scatter some fresh basil ribbons, or add a pinch of crushed red pepper for a bit of heat. Even some finely chopped parsley adds a fresh note and beautiful color contrast.
Side Dishes
This hearty casserole pairs wonderfully with light, fresh sides. A crisp green salad tossed with Italian vinaigrette or a simple Caesar brings balance and brightness. Garlic bread is practically required for dunking in that amazing sauce, and roasted vegetables like zucchini or broccoli are an easy way to round out your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to wow your family or guests? Try serving individual portions in small oven-safe ramekins for a fun, personal touch. Or, sprinkle extra toppings like jalapeños, mushrooms, or even pineapple on just one half to please everyone at the table—just like a “half-and-half” pizza!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Pizza Casserole Recipe makes the best next-day lunch! Once completely cooled, cover the casserole dish tightly with foil or transfer portions to airtight containers. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors meld even more overnight, making every bite tomorrow just as delicious as the first.
Freezing
This casserole freezes like a dream. After baking, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. For individual servings, freeze in smaller containers. When ready, bake straight from the freezer (add about 15 extra minutes baking time), or thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating as usual.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the casserole in a 350°F oven (covered with foil) for 15-20 minutes until hot and bubbly. For a quick lunch, microwave slices in a microwave-safe dish—just add a splash of water or sauce if things look dry, and reheat in 1-minute bursts until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! Feel free to swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, Italian sausage, or even a plant-based substitute. Each brings its own lovely twist to the Pizza Casserole Recipe.
Is there a way to make this meatless?
Definitely—just omit the meat and consider adding extra veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or sautéed onions. The casserole is still every bit as satisfying and cheesy.
Can I add or change up the toppings?
Yes, that’s the fun of this Pizza Casserole Recipe! Use any pizza toppings you love, such as sliced jalapeños, diced ham, cooked sausage, extra veggies, or even pineapple for those who love a sweet-savory bite.
Is this dish good for meal prep?
It’s perfect for meal prep! Bake once, refrigerate, and reheat slices all week for a delicious and hearty lunch or quick dinner. It stores and reheats beautifully.
What’s the best cheese blend if I want to experiment?
You can’t go wrong with mozzarella and cheddar, but feel free to add provolone, fontina, smoked gouda, or even a spicy pepper jack for extra flavor. Mixing cheeses gives your casserole amazing depth.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving everything you love about pizza in a crowd-pleasing, family-friendly, and heartwarming package, give this Pizza Casserole Recipe a try. It’s cheesy, satisfying, endlessly customizable—and always a hit at the table. Happy cooking!
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Pizza Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Pizza Casserole recipe combines all the flavors of a classic pizza into an easy-to-make, cheesy pasta bake. Perfect for a family dinner, this comforting dish is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Pasta:
12 ounces rotini or penne pasta,
Ground Beef Mixture:
1 pound ground beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pizza sauce,
Toppings:
1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (plus more for topping), 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 green bell pepper (chopped), 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional), cooking spray or oil for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir in the marinara or pizza sauce and remove from heat.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, half of the pepperoni, bell pepper, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
- Bake: Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella, cheddar cheese, Parmesan, and additional pepperoni slices. Add olives if using. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Customize with your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, sausage, or jalapeños.
- For a crispier top, broil for the last 2 minutes.
- This dish freezes well—just wrap tightly and bake from frozen when needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
