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When it comes to two favorite meals there is nothing like mashing them together to get this Pizza Pasta Bake! A quick and easy recipe the whole family will enjoy.
Who doesn’t love pizza and who doesn’t love pasta? So why not mash those two together and get this amazing Pizza Pasta Bake!
This is one of our quick go-to weeknight meals when we are short on time and really just want something quick and easy yet super flavorful.
This recipe is super versatile and you can mix in any of your favorite pizza toppings that you want. We stuck with pepperoni for this recipe.
But trust me it is great no matter what you want to add to it and what you have on hand! We have tried various types and love them all.
We’ve brought this easy pizza pasta bake to several family get togethers. The kids always devour it! It’s a pasta dish for the ages.
Don’t worry, it’s a casserole dish that the adults like too. I always take notice, though, when something is super popular with the little ones.
This really is a recipe for those picky eaters out there, I have found that even the pickiest of eaters will gobble up this Pizza Pasta Bake, so it’s absolutely worth giving a try.
Some of my other favorite pasta recipes we have on our site include: Taco Pasta, One Pot Ranch Chicken Pasta and Bacon Pesto Pasta.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- With only 6 ingredients this pizza pasta casserole is a breeze to make.
- You can switch up the filling and topping to your liking.
- This makes a nice large batch to feed a family. It makes for a special pizza night!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Rotini pasta
- Spaghetti sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Pepperoni
- Dried oregano
- Parmesan cheese
HOW TO MAKE PIZZA PASTA BAKE:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook the pasta per the directions on the box and drain well.
- Add the cooked pasta to a large bowl along with the spaghetti sauce, 2 cups of the mozzarella, and the chopped pepperoni, and stir to combine fully.
- Add the mixture to the greased baking dish.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella and full pepperoni.
- Sprinkle with the dried oregano.
- Cover with non-stick foil or grease foil with non-stick cooking spray. Place the foil, greased side down, onto the casserole. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Take off the foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is warmed through. Serve with a garnish of parmesan cheese.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT KIND OF CHEESE IS BEST TO USE?
While Mozzarella is our cheese of choice in this recipe, others can be used to your liking. You can use provolone, colby jack, monterey jack and more.
The one thing I do like to stress is that you use freshly shredded cheese, it does not have the preservatives like bagged cheese does and it melts so much better.
WHAT OTHER TOPPINGS/FILLINGS CAN I USE?
This is the fun part, you can make this pizza pasta recipe your own!
There are so many different ingredients you can add, some of my favorites include:
- Sausage
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Olives
- Peppers
Pretty much whatever you like on your pizza, or even your favorite pizza topping combination can be used in this recipe!
This one is really a basic base that kids enjoy.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Add your favorite meat or some penne pasta!
Experiment with different types of cheese. The choice is yours.
- Diced green bell peppers: Add a green pepper or two for a boost of vitamin C and extra flavor.
- Cooked ground beef: Stir in some cooked ground beef for a heartier casserole.
- Sliced black olives: Add sliced black olives for a classic pizza topping twist.
- Turkey sausage: Mix in turkey sausage for a leaner protein option.
- Fresh herbs: Sprinkle fresh Italian basil leaves on top before serving for a burst of freshness. Italian seasoning is great too.
- Pinch of red pepper flakes: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Diced tomatoes: Stir in a can of diced tomatoes for more tomato flavor and a juicy texture.
- Cream cheese: Add dollops of cream cheese throughout the casserole for a creamy surprise in every bite.
- Mini pepperonis: Use mini pepperonis in addition to or instead of regular slices for a fun, bite-sized twist.
- Parmesan cheese: Grate fresh parmesan cheese over the top before baking for an extra cheesy finish.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
Lots of flavor here! It’s also a great recipe for swapping things out.
Let me know in the comments if you have a great option of your own!
- Whole wheat pasta for regular pasta: Swap in whole wheat pasta for added fiber and a healthier option.
- Turkey pepperoni for regular pepperoni: Use turkey pepperoni instead of regular pepperoni to reduce fat content.
- Tomato sauce for spaghetti sauce: If you’re out of spaghetti sauce, use tomato sauce and add your favorite Italian seasonings. Marinara sauce works too.
- Avocado oil for olive oil: Substitute avocado oil for olive oil if you prefer its flavor or health benefits.
- Gluten-free pasta for regular pasta: Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version of this pizza casserole.
- Mozzarella for cheddar cheese: If you’re out of mozzarella, you can use shredded cheddar cheese for a different flavor profile.
HOW TO STORE:
This can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
This can also be frozen, I recommend freezing before baking.
To do that, assemble your bake and then cover with plastic wrap and foil and it should keep for up to 3 months.
To reheat, you can remove directly from the oven and bake, you may need to add a few more minutes to your baking time to make sure everything is warmed through.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- You can use any small pasta that you like, I like rotini because it really grabs the sauce and cheese.
- Use freshly grated cheese as it melts better.
- You can add any toppings/fillings that you like, see above for other ideas.
- This can be frozen, again see above on how to do that.
- You can halve this recipe to serve a smaller family.
Want a quick and easy dinner-time meal that the whole family will enjoy?
This Pizza Pasta Bake is just what you need. Bring on the pizza sauce!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this PIZZA PASTA BAKE, let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Easy Pizza Pasta Bake Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rotini pasta
- 24 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
- 4 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 7 ounces pepperoni rough chopped, plus more for garnish
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- grated parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook the pasta per the directions on the box and drain well.16 ounces rotini pasta
- Add the cooked pasta to a large bowl along with the spaghetti sauce, 2 cups of the mozzarella, and the chopped pepperoni, and stir to combine fully.24 ounce jar spaghetti sauce, 4 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, 7 ounces pepperoni
- Add the mixture to the greased baking dish.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella and full pepperoni.½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Sprinkle with the dried oregano.
- Cover with non-stick foil or grease foil with non-stick cooking spray. Place the foil, greased side down, onto the casserole. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Take off the foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is warmed through. Serve with a garnish of parmesan cheese.grated parmesan cheese for serving
Notes
- You can use any small pasta that you like, I like rotini because it really grabs the sauce and cheese.
- Use freshly grated cheese as it melts better.
- You can add any toppings/fillings that you like, see above for other ideas.
- This can be frozen, again see above on how to do that.
- You can halve this recipe to serve a smaller family.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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