Description
A delicious and comforting Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta Bake featuring rotini pasta, ground beef, pepperoni, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses baked in a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for a family-friendly meal that combines classic Italian flavors with a cheesy, bubbly finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions, drained
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Cheese and Sauce
- 1 cup (138 g) pepperoni slices
- 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- Nonstick cooking spray (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook ground beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is no longer pink and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
- Combine ingredients: To the skillet with the cooked beef, add the cooked rotini pasta, pepperoni slices, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until well combined. Then, transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Be sure to cook the pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or sausage for a different flavor profile.
- If you prefer, add chopped fresh parsley or basil as garnish for freshness.
- Use a marinara sauce with your preferred level of seasoning for customization.
- Drain excess grease thoroughly to avoid a greasy pasta bake.
