Cooking Preparation

• In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. About two minutes before it’s done, reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain the rest. Set the pasta aside.
• In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it; you want this to lightly golden.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5-7 minutes. You’ll notice the sauce thickening here, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.
• Lower the heat and add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Pour in a bit of reserved pasta water if needed to achieve your desired consistency. Stir well to coat all the pasta with the delicious sauce.
• Sprinkle in half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the pepperoni slices, mixing everything together until the cheese is melted and gooey.
• Pour the pasta mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese and pepperoni on top.
• Turn your oven to broil and place the baking dish inside for about 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Keep an eye on it, as broilers can vary, and you don’t want it to burn!
• Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and enjoy your Easy Pepperoni Pizza Pasta warm.