Description
A pizza casserole combines the beloved flavors of traditional pizza in a hearty, comforting dish. Layers of pasta, cheese, and your favorite toppings come together for an effortless meal that satisfies cravings without fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cups rotini Pasta (measured before cooking)
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (microbial-rennet), divided
- ¼ cup beef pepperoni, divided
- 14 oz. jar pizza sauce (or substitute with Pasta sauce)
- ¾ cup water
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- Step 1: Start by cooking 3 cups of rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Step 2: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it into small crumbles with a spatula. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning, stirring frequently until the onion is soft and translucent. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Step 3: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) while preparing the casserole.
- Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine pizza sauce, water, the cooked pasta, the ground beef mixture, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the beef pepperoni slices. Mix everything thoroughly.
- Step 5: Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and beef pepperoni slices.
- Step 6: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve hot.
Notes
Layer the ingredients carefully to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing for cleaner pieces and easier serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: pizza casserole, pasta bake, beef pepperoni, hearty dinner, Italian-American