Pizza Casserole Recipe
A hearty and crowd-pleasing baked dish that marries the comforting elements of pizza and pasta, ideal for weeknight dinners or make-ahead meals. This cheesy, meaty casserole delivers all the flavors of a classic pizzeria in a single pan.
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Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 6 oz sliced pepperoni
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes or two 15 oz cans
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 16 oz penne pasta
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brown the ground beef or sausage in a skillet, then drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning until well blended.
- While the meat simmers, cook the penne pasta to al dente according to package instructions, then drain.
- Transfer half of the pasta into a 9×13 baking dish.
- Evenly distribute half of the meat sauce over the pasta layer.
- Scatter half of the Mozzarella cheese on top.
- Arrange half of the pepperoni slices over the cheese.
- Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta, followed by the rest of the meat sauce, Mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni.
- Finish by sprinkling Parmesan cheese over the top layer.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
This dish freezes exceptionally well—prepare a double batch and store one for future use, making it a convenient and tasty freezer meal.