Description
A hearty and comforting Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole that combines savory ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and a rich tomato sauce with tender rotini pasta, all topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for pizza lovers looking for a warm, satisfying baked pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 2 cups cooked rotini pasta (or any pasta shape you prefer)
Toppings
- 1 package (6 oz) pepperoni slices
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking the meat apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the onion softens.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in pizza sauce, crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently on low heat for about 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Assemble the Casserole: In the prepared baking dish, mix the cooked pasta with the meat sauce until evenly combined. Layer the pepperoni slices evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the entire dish.
- Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and turns golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra pepperoni or fresh basil if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute the rotini pasta with any preferred pasta shape such as penne or rigatoni.
- For a spicier dish, add extra red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
- Make sure not to overcook pasta as it will continue cooking slightly in the oven during baking.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and verify the pizza sauce does not contain gluten.
