Description
Mama’s Pizza Casserole is a comforting, cheesy pasta bake featuring a flavorful blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and pepperoni, layered with rotini pasta and topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. This hearty dish combines the best elements of pizza and pasta into a satisfying casserole that’s perfect for family dinners and can be prepared ahead of time.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta
- 8 ounces rotini or penne pasta, uncooked
Cheese and Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: sliced black olives, diced green bell pepper, or mushrooms for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook meat and aromatics. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion, stirring to break up the meat until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease to reduce fat content. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its flavor.
- Simmer the sauce. Stir in the marinara or pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for 5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Cook pasta. While the sauce simmers, boil the pasta in salted water for 2 minutes less than the package instructions indicate. This ensures it finishes cooking in the oven without becoming mushy. Drain and return the pasta to the pot.
- Combine pasta and sauce. Mix the cooked pasta thoroughly with the meat sauce until well combined.
- Layer the casserole. Spread half of the pasta and meat mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and half the pepperoni slices. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then distribute the remaining mozzarella, pepperoni, and Parmesan cheese evenly. Add any optional toppings like olives, bell peppers, or mushrooms if desired.
- Bake covered. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This helps all ingredients heat through and cheeses melt evenly.
- Finish baking uncovered. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden, creating a deliciously crusted top layer.
- Rest and serve. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set and cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated before baking, making it convenient for busy schedules.
- For a spicy kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or use hot Italian sausage.
- Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave and also freeze beautifully for future meals.
