Irresistibly Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe

Nestled between layers of gooey cheese and zesty pepperoni pizza casserole promises a comfort food adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Melted mozzarella blankets crispy pasta and savory meat in a delightful twist on classic pizza flavors.

Weeknight dinners never looked so tempting with this crowd-pleasing dish.

Hearty ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a meal that feels like a warm hug.

Families and friends will clamor for seconds of this irresistible baked masterpiece.

Simple ingredients transform into something magical with minimal prep work.

Bold flavors and easy preparation make this casserole your new go-to dinner solution that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe.

The Ingredients In Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

• Pasta: Serves as the hearty foundation of the casserole with a classic Italian touch.
• Marinara Sauce: Provides a rich, tangy base that coats the pasta and adds moisture to the dish.

• Pepperoni, Mozzarella Cheese: Classic pizza ingredients that bring bold flavor and creamy texture to the casserole.

• Green Bell Peppers, Black Olives: Add fresh crunch and vibrant color to the dish.
• Dried Oregano, Garlic Powder, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Black Pepper: Create a complex and balanced seasoning profile that enhances the overall taste.
• Olive Oil: Helps achieve a golden-brown surface and adds a subtle richness to the casserole.

How You Make Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Give it a quick spray of cooking oil to keep everything from sticking.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta until it’s perfectly tender. Drain completely and return to the pot.

Step 3: Coat Pasta with Sauce

Mix the cooked pasta with marinara sauce, making sure every noodle gets a delicious sauce hug.

Step 4: Create the First Pasta Layer

Spread half of the saucy pasta into the prepared baking dish, creating a solid pasta foundation.

Step 5: Add Cheese Layer

Sprinkle a generous blanket of mozzarella cheese over the pasta, covering every inch.

Step 6: Pepperoni Paradise

Arrange pepperoni slices across the cheese, creating that classic pizza look and flavor.

Step 7: Veggie Boost

• Diced green bell peppers
• Sliced black olives

Step 8: Flavor Explosion

• Dried oregano
• Garlic powder
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 9: Build the Final Layer

• Mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni slices

Step 10: Olive Oil Finish

Drizzle a touch of olive oil over the top to help create a golden, crispy surface.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for completely melted cheese with a gorgeous golden-brown top.

Step 12: Rest and Serve

Pull the casserole out and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps the layers settle and the flavors mingle. Dig in and enjoy your pizza pasta masterpiece!

Helpful Info For Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Rinse cooked pasta with cold water and toss with a bit of olive oil to keep noodles separated and prevent clumping.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Mix different cheese types like mozzarella, parmesan, and provolone for a more complex and rich taste profile.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes and garlic powder quantities to match personal heat and flavor preferences.
• Create Crispy Top: Broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking to achieve a golden, crunchy cheese crust.
• Make It Healthier: Replace pepperoni with grilled chicken or turkey sausage for a lower-fat protein option.

Tasty Ideas For Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

• Vegetarian Pizza Pasta Bake: Replace pepperoni with plant-based sausage crumbles or roasted vegetable medley like zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms for a meat-free version.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Swap marinara for salsa, add black beans, swap mozzarella with pepper jack cheese, include chopped jalapeños for extra heat and Mexican-inspired flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Alternative: Use gluten-free pasta, ensure marinara sauce is gluten-free certified, check pepperoni ingredients for wheat-based additives, and maintain same layering technique.
• Mediterranean Remix: Substitute pepperoni with crumbled feta cheese, add chopped spinach, sundried tomatoes, and sprinkle za'atar seasoning for a Mediterranean-inspired transformation.

Perfect Combos With Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

• Perfect Pizza Pasta Casserole Pairings
• Savor a Bold Red Wine Companion: Choose a robust Chianti or Sangiovese that cuts through the rich cheese and pepperoni, complementing the dish's hearty flavors with its tangy undertones.
• Craft a Crisp Green Salad Partner: Toss together a fresh arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan, providing a light, zesty contrast to the casserole's heavy textures.
• Create a Cool Cucumber Side Kick: Prepare a quick cucumber and dill salad dressed with sour cream, offering a refreshing and cool counterpoint to the warm, spicy casserole layers.

How To Keep Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe dish, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warm, stirring between intervals.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover casserole with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, removing foil in the last 5 minutes for crispy cheese topping.

Need-To-Know Answers On Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

• What kind of pasta works best for this recipe?

Medium-sized pasta like penne, rigatoni, or ziti hold sauce well and create perfect texture layers in the casserole.

• Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the pepperoni and replace with sliced mushrooms or additional vegetables like zucchini or spinach for protein and flavor.

• How do I prevent the pasta from becoming soggy?

Cook pasta al dente and drain thoroughly before mixing with sauce. This ensures the pasta maintains its structure during baking and doesn’t become mushy.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The pizza-like flavors, cheesy texture, and colorful ingredients make this casserole appealing to children and adults alike.

Why Everyone Enjoys Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

• Conquer Quick Comfort Food: Packed with classic pizza toppings and pasta, this dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort.
• Transform Weeknight Dinners: Perfect for busy families seeking a crowd-pleasing meal that combines familiar ingredients in an exciting new format.
• Customize with Creativity: Easily swap ingredients to match family preferences or pantry availability, making this recipe incredibly flexible and adaptable.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup required with a single baking dish, reducing post-meal kitchen stress and saving precious time for family moments.

Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty pepperoni pizza casserole brings classic Italian-American comfort to dinner tables with layered pasta, zesty sauce, and melted cheese. Cheese-loving families will devour this one-pan wonder that combines pizza flavors in a satisfying, easy-to-serve casserole you can’t resist.

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Ingredients

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Pizza Base:

• 2 cups pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Meat and Toppings:

• 6 oz pepperoni slices
• 1/2 cup diced green bell peppers
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives

Seasoning and Extras:

• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure easy serving and prevent sticking.
2. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain thoroughly and return to the pot.
3. Toss the cooked pasta with marinara sauce, creating a rich and evenly coated base for the casserole.
4. Layer half of the sauced pasta into the prepared baking dish, creating a solid foundation for the pizza-inspired layers.
5. Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese over the pasta, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Distribute pepperoni slices across the cheese layer, creating a classic pizza-like appearance and flavor profile.
7. Scatter diced green bell peppers and sliced black olives evenly over the pepperoni, adding vibrant color and texture.
8. Dust the layer with dried oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to enhance the overall seasoning.
9. Add the remaining pasta on top, followed by another layer of mozzarella cheese and the remaining pepperoni.
10. Drizzle olive oil over the top layer to promote golden browning and add a subtle richness.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and slightly bubbling with a golden-brown surface.
12. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

• Customize pepperoni portions for diet preferences, using turkey pepperoni or reducing quantity for lower-fat options.
• Experiment with alternative cheese blends like part-skim mozzarella or adding sharp cheddar for deeper flavor complexity.
• Create vegetarian version by replacing pepperoni with plant-based protein like roasted mushrooms or vegetarian sausage crumbles.
• Prep casserole ahead and refrigerate unbaked, allowing flavors to intensify before final baking for enhanced taste development.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg