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