Description
Savor bold flavors in this meat lovers pizza casserole, where pepperoni, sausage, and ground beef meld into a hearty one-pan marvel. Melted cheese and zesty marinara sauce complete this irresistible comfort dish that brings pizzeria magic directly to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound mild pork sausage
- 1 pound cooked ham (cubed)
- Sliced pepperoni (as desired)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 3 8-ounce bags shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Other Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound bow tie pasta
- 2 26-ounce jars spaghetti sauce
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with light grease.
- Cook pasta until tender, then rinse with cold water and drain completely.
- In a skillet, brown sausage with onions, garlic, and oregano until meat is fully cooked and onions become translucent. Remove excess grease.
- Create first layer by spreading thin spaghetti sauce on baking dish bottom, then add 1/3 of pasta, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Distribute cooked sausage mixture evenly across first layer.
- Construct second layer using remaining pasta, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Scatter cubed ham uniformly over second layer’s cheese.
- Top with final layer of remaining pasta, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Arrange pepperoni slices across the surface for complete coverage.
- Bake uncovered for 40 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
- Allow casserole to rest 5 minutes before serving to help set and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, as it will continue to absorb moisture in the casserole.
- Grease Control: Drain excess fat from the sausage to keep the dish from becoming too greasy and maintain a cleaner, more appetizing texture.
- Layering Technique: Create even layers for consistent flavor distribution, making sure each bite has a balanced mix of meat, cheese, and sauce.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free options, use turkey sausage for a leaner version, or substitute vegetarian meat alternatives for a plant-based twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 834 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1720 mg
- Fat: 53 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 54 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg