Irresistibly Easy Pizza Casserole for Busy Weeknights
An easy Pizza Casserole that combines gooey mozzarella, zesty sauce, and hearty pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Equipment
- Oven
- large skillet
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
For the Pasta Base
- 12 oz Penne Pasta Substitutable with short pasta like rigatoni.
For the Meat
- 1 lb Ground Beef Can be swapped for lean ground turkey.
For the Sauce
- 2 cups Pizza Sauce Jarred sauce works well; marinara can be used.
For the Cheese
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese Mix with provolone or cheddar for variety.
- 0.5 cups Parmesan Cheese Sprinkle more on top for extra tastiness.
For the Toppings
- 1 cup Pepperoni Can be substituted with cooked Italian sausage or vegetable options.
- 0.5 cups Sliced Black Olives Optional; skip if not preferred.
Instructions
Basic Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and half of the Italian seasoning. Cook until browned.
- Drain grease, stir in pizza sauce and sliced black olives. Let simmer for a few minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine pasta with meat and sauce mixture, ensuring all noodles are coated.
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer half of the pasta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese, then top with pepperoni and seasoning.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Allow to cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Feel free to customize with your favorite toppings or vegetables. Check for additional cooking tips in the expert section.