Print

Easy Cheesy Family-Favorite Pizza Pasta Bake with Pepperoni and Mozzarella

A close-up shot of a square slice of pizza pasta bake topped with melted mozzarella and pepperoni.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This recipe delivers the classic flavor of pepperoni pizza in a simple, comforting pasta casserole format, perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 1/4 cup black olives, sliced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Stir the Italian seasoning and garlic powder into the meat mixture. Cook for one minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour the marinara sauce and water into the skillet with the meat. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked pasta, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and the Parmesan cheese until everything is well combined.
  7. Spread the pasta mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  8. Top the pasta evenly with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and the sliced pepperoni. Add black olives if you are using them.
  9. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are slightly browned.
  10. Let the pizza pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • You can prepare this entire dish ahead of time, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to the bake time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
  • For a high protein pasta bake, use Italian sausage and add cooked, diced chicken breast to the sauce mixture.
  • This recipe freezes well either baked or unbaked. If freezing unbaked, cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/pizza-pasta-bake/