Description
This Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines pasta, marinara sauce, cheeses, and pepperoni slices, baked to perfection. A family-friendly favorite that’s easy to make and sure to please!
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese and Toppings:
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni (divided)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Sauté onion and garlic, then add marinara sauce, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Combine ingredients: Mix cooked pasta with sauce, Parmesan, 1.5 cups mozzarella, and half of the pepperoni.
- Bake: Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining mozzarella and pepperoni. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
- Serve: Let it rest, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Notes
- You can add cooked Italian sausage or mushrooms for extra flavor.
- This dish works great as a make-ahead freezer meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
