Description
A comforting and cheesy baked pizza casserole that combines the best elements of a traditional pizza with the heartiness of a casserole, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
- 1 pound ground sausage (or crumbled tempeh for a vegetarian option)
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown the ground sausage over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Add onions and garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer for a few minutes. Combine the meat mixture with the drained pasta.
- In a large baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, then sprinkle with mozzarella. Add your favorite veggies and meats, top with remaining pasta, then finish with more mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Letting the casserole rest after baking helps it set for easier serving. Feel free to customize with your favorite toppings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: baked casserole, pizza casserole, comfort food, family meal, Italian cuisine