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Easy Weeknight Pizza Pasta Bake Casserole

Close-up of a cheesy slice of pizza casserole showing pasta, meat sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese.
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Make this simple, cheesy pizza pasta bake for a quick, family-friendly dinner that uses common ingredients and cleans up easily.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup mini pepperoni slices
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, brown the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, oregano, and garlic powder until combined.
  5. In the same skillet with the sausage, stir in the marinara sauce and pepperoni. Heat through for about 2 minutes.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the sausage mixture and toss to coat everything evenly.
  7. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the ricotta mixture, spreading it gently. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
  8. Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Dollop the remaining ricotta mixture over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese.
  9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a make-ahead option, assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.
  • If you prefer, you can substitute ground beef or ground turkey for the Italian sausage.
  • Use your favorite jarred pizza sauce instead of marinara sauce for a more authentic pizza flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://whiskdaily.com/easy-pizza-casserole-recipe/