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!
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. There's nothing more comforting than a big bowl of pasta! If you love pasta, you have to try this butternut squash mac and cheese , Greek Pasta Bake, or meatless baked ziti too!
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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. There's nothing better than an easy, hearty dish, just like my meat lover's lasagna recipe!
- 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!
- 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 recipe information on ingredients and quantities.
Step by Step Instructions
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! Italian sauteed eggplant would be a great side dish too!
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can use your favorite gluten free pasta. Even lentil pasta or chick pea pasta will work in this recipe.
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
Did you make this recipe and love it?
If you did, don't forget to leave a 5-star review and comment below! Show me your creation on Instagram or Facebook. Just mention @Lynn'sWayofLife or use this hashtag #lynnswayoflife.
📖 Recipe
Easy Pizza Casserole with Pasta
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!
Gerri says
Quick, easy and delicious!!
My family loved it!