• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lynn's Way of Life
  • CCPA Notice
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Fall Recipes
  • Meet Lynn
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recipe Index
  • Recipes
  • Seasonal Recipes for the Whole Family
  • Spring Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Summer Recipes
  • Supplemental Privacy Policy for Nevada Residents
  • Web Stories
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Fall Recipes
  • Meet Lynn
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Fall Recipes
  • Meet Lynn
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes » Easy Pizza Casserole with Pasta

Easy Pizza Casserole with Pasta

Published: Sep 18, 2023 by Lynn Polito · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Sharing is caring!

7 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Jump to Recipe

Pizza Casserole is a delightful fusion of two beloved classics that will take your taste buds on a joyous journey! With our Pizza Casserole with Pasta, every meal is a celebration, and every bite is a taste of happiness!

The pizza casserole is in a baking dish on a wooden background.

When you want the taste of a delicious pizza on pizza night but don't have enough time to make a pizza dough, this easy pizza casserole recipe is for you! Add your favorite pizza toppings to this recipe and it will become a family favorite on those busy weeknights!

So, get ready to dig in and experience the best of both worlds – the comfort of pasta and the excitement of pizza, all in one unforgettable bite.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients to Gather
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Variations
  • Storage Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Dinner Ideas
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It's an easy weeknight dinner! It doesn't get easier than this easy casserole. This pizza pasta bake is cooked in one large skillet and then baked in a casserole dish.
  • It can be made ahead of time! The best part about this recipe is you can make it ahead of time! If you have no time to make dinner on one night of the week, you can make this pizza bake, pour it into a baking dish, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator. Then bake it when you are ready!
  • It's versatile! The great thing about this recipe is that you can adjust it to what your family likes.

Ingredients to Gather

You only need a few simple ingredients for this pizza pasta bake!

Ingredients for the pizza casserole are labeled.
  • Pasta. Your favorite pasta shape will work in this recipe. I used rigatoni but you can use penne pasta, rotini noodles, cavatappi pasta, or farfalle pasta.
  • Pizza sauce. Jarred tomato sauce or your can even make homemade marinara sauce. You'll want to use a tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce that your whole family will enjoy.
  • Ground beef. One pound of a lean ground beef.
  • Vegetables. We will be using black olives, green peppers, onions, and garlic. Feel free to use whatever toppings your entire family loves.
  • Pepperoni slices. It's not a pizza night without a pepperoni pizza! Pepperoni slices give this pizza pasta casserole recipe that classic pizza taste.
  • Italian seasoning. This will give a little more flavor to the jarred tomato sauce.

See printable recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Step by Step Instructions

The ground beef is added to the skillet.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees f. Add the olive oil and ground beef to a large skillet. Brown meat for 5-6 minutes over medium heat to medium-high heat.
Chopped green peppers and onions are added to the skillet.
Step 2: Add the chopped onions, diced peppers, and crushed garlic to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
The ground beef mixture is seasoned with Italian seasoning.
Step 3: Add the Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper to the pan. Mix well.
A jar of pizza sauce is added to the skillet.
Step 4: Add the pasta sauce to the meat mixture in the pan. Mix well.
Pasta is cooked in boiling water.
Step 5: Bring a pot of water to a boil and oven the box of pasta and cook pasta according to the package instructions.
The sauce is added to the casserole dish.
Step 6: Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour mixture into the baking dish.
Mozzerella cheese tops the pasta in the casserole dish.
Step 7: Drain pasta and add the cooked pasta to the baking dish. Add 1 ½ cups of the mozzarella cheese and mix. Sprinkle the top with more mozzarella cheese.
Pepperoni is added to the casserole dish.
Step 8: Add the pepperoni slices to the top of the pasta. Place the dish in the preheated 375 degree f oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the top is slightly golden brown.

Tips and Tricks

  • To give yourself a little more room, mix the pasta and sauce in a large mixing bowl instead of right in the casserole dish.
  • The ground beef should be 93/7 or higher. Sometimes meat can have a lot of fat in it. 80/20 might have too much fat for this dish.
  • Double this recipe and freeze one for an easy dinner recipe another night! Let one cool to room temperature and then freeze it.
  • Serve this pizza casserole with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Be sure to add some sourdough dinner rolls, Instant Pot dinner rolls, brioche dinner rolls, sourdough breadsticks, or whole wheat dinner rolls to this dinner!

Variations

  • Change the meat! If you don't have ground beef or prefer to not use it, you can use Italian sausage, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
  • Change the veggies! Add chopped broccoli, diced zucchini, sliced mushrooms, or a combination or red bell peppers and green bell peppers. Use what you have in the house!
  • Make it spicy! Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for a little extra heat!

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat the pasta in a microwave safe bowl or in an oven safe bowl in the oven.

You can also freeze this pasta right in the baking dish for future use. Make the pasta dish completely and then cover it with aluminum foil. Freeze the baking dish for up to 3 months. To reheat, place the baking dish in the refrigerator until it is defrosted and then bake it for 30 minutes.

A spoon is in the casserole dish of the pizza casserole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this pepperoni pizza casserole with gluten free pasta?

Yes! You can use your favorite gluten free pasta. Even lentil pasta or chick pea pasta will work in this recipe.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! Leave out the pepperoni and the ground beef. Load up on your favorite veggies to sneak some veggies into your family's meals.

More Dinner Ideas

  • The Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Pasta is on a plate on a cutting board.
    Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Pasta
  • A close of up the meaty marinara in the baking dish and a portion is on a plate.
    Meaty Marinara Baked Pasta (Easy Weeknight Dinner!)
  • The one pot sausage broccoli pasta is surrounded by black pepper and a towel.
    One Pot Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
  • The pasta fagioli is in a bowl surrounded by basil, olive oil, and a yellow napkin.
    Authentic Pasta Fagioli

Did you love this recipe? If you did, please leave a 5 ⭐️ rating below! Follow along on Instagram and Facebook!

📖 Recipe

The pizza casserole is in a baking dish on a wooden background.

Easy Pizza Casserole with Pasta

Pizza Casserole is a delightful fusion of two beloved classics that will take your taste buds on a joyous journey! With our Pizza Casserole with Pasta, every meal is a celebration, and every bite is a taste of happiness!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 9 Servings
Calories: 510kcal
Author: Lynn Polito

Equipment

  • Baking Dish
  • Cutting Boards
  • Knives
  • Wooden Spoon

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 lb Pasta
  • 1 lb Ground Beef 93/7
  • 1 Onion Diced
  • 1 Green Pepper Diced 1 ½ cups
  • 3 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 jar Pasta Sauce
  • 1 cup Pepperoni Slices Plus more for topping
  • 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Divided
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
  • ½ cup Sliced Black Olives

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook based on the package instructions.
  • In a large skillet, add the olive oil and ground beef. Cook for 5-6 minutes to brown meat.
  • Add the chopped onions, diced green peppers, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning to the pan. Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the sliced black olives and ¾ cup of sliced pepperoni to the pan. Mix well.
  • Pour the tomato sauce into the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is heated through.
  • Pour the meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Drain the pasta and add the cooked pasta to the casserole dish. Mix in 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and mix well. Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella on top of the pasta. Arrange the pepperoni on top of the pasta.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is slightly golden brown and the mixture is heated through. Serve with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • To give yourself a little more room, mix the pasta and sauce in a large mixing bowl instead of right in the casserole dish.
  • Double this recipe and freeze one for an easy dinner recipe another night! Let one cool to room temperature and then freeze it.
  • Serve this pizza casserole with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Be sure to add some sourdough dinner rolls, Instant Pot dinner rolls, brioche dinner rolls, sourdough breadsticks, or whole wheat dinner rolls to this dinner!
  • Change the meat! If you don't have ground beef or prefer to not use it, you can use Italian sausage, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
  • Change the veggies! Add chopped broccoli, diced zucchini, sliced mushrooms, or a combination or red bell peppers and green bell peppers. Use what you have in the house!
  • Make it spicy! Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for a little extra heat!

Nutrition

Calories: 510kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 1041mg | Potassium: 662mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 567IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @LynnsWayofLife or tag #lynnswayoflife!
« Bisquick Breakfast Casserole (with Ham and Cheese!)
Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins »

Sharing is caring!

7 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Subscribe

for your weekly recipe fix.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hey there! I'm Lynn and I'm based just outside of Boston. I'm a wife and mom of two with a passion for cooking and creating homemade food for my family.

Whether it's creating new recipes, or exploring tried and true classics, I am constantly trying to show that homemade doesn't have to be hard

More about me →

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Pinterest

People are Loving!

  • A piece of the stack of pancakes with self-rising flour is on a fork.
    Fluffy Pancakes (With Self-Rising Flour!)
  • The banana bread with self rising flour is cut into slices and is on a cutting board.
    Banana Bread Recipe with Self-Rising Flour
  • An overhead shot of the Instant Pot Shrimp Scamp in a bowl
    Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi Recipe
  • A fork and knife are cutting into the waffle.
    Waffles With Self Rising Flour
  • The sourdough pretzel bites are on a tray with mustard
    Sourdough Pretzel Bites
  • An overhead shot of the muffins in a muffin tin.
    Easy Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Fall Favs!

  • An overhead shot of a wooden spoon showing the texture of the Instant Pot Apple Butter
    Instant Pot Apple Butter (No Peel!)
  • A spoonful of apple sauce is taken out of the bowl
    The Easiest Homemade Chunky Applesauce
  • A close up of a slice of cake and a piece on the fork.
    Applesauce Coffee Cake With Streusel Topping
  • A straight on shot of the Instant Pot Pear Butter in a jar.
    The Easiest Instant Pot Pear Butter
  • Two 3 ingredient apple spice muffins are on a square plate with apples in the back.
    3 Ingredient Apple Muffins (with Cake Mix!)
  • The sourdough pumpkin cookies are piled on a ceramic cutting board
    Soft Sourdough Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • What is Lynn's Way of Life

Let's Connect!

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Contact

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Cookie Policy

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Lynn's Way of Life