Easy Pizza Casserole Dinner
A delightful twist on classic pizza flavors, this Easy Pizza Casserole Dinner is perfect for family dinners or gatherings, offering gooey cheese, savory sauce, and customizable toppings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey (or veggie crumbles) Feel free to swap for a healthier option.
- 1 medium onion, diced A yellow onion works brilliantly, or red for a sweeter flavor.
- 2 cups pizza sauce Store-bought or homemade.
- 3 cups cooked pasta Penne or rotini holds the sauce beautifully.
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Parmesan or cheddar blend can be alternatives.
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni Or any favorite toppings like bell peppers or olives.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Adds authentic pizza flavor.
- to taste salt and pepper Don’t hesitate to enhance the flavor here.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef (or turkey) until fully cooked.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet, stirring until translucent and tender — about 5 minutes.
- Pour in the pizza sauce, cooked pasta, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until well-coated.
- In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the meat and pasta mixture.
- Sprinkle a cup of mozzarella cheese on top, then add the sliced pepperoni and any additional toppings.
- Repeat with the remaining pasta and another cup of cheese, topping it all off with the final layer of cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until golden brown.
- Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze individual portions wrapped in foil. When reheating from frozen, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes or until heated through.