Description
A hearty Pizza Casserole loaded with pepperoni, sausage, cheese, and marinara sauce layered over tender pasta. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this dish combines the comfort of pasta with the flavors of pizza for an irresistible meal.
Ingredients
4 cups penne pasta
1 pound ground Italian sausage
1 cup sliced pepperoni
1 small onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cups sliced mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, minced
24 ounces marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, sauté onion and green bell pepper over medium heat for 5 minutes, until softened.
- Add ground sausage to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in garlic and mushrooms. Cook for 2–3 minutes until mushrooms are tender.
- Add marinara sauce, oregano, and basil. Simmer for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the pasta, half the sauce mixture, pepperoni slices, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh basil and serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage and pepperoni with additional vegetables or plant-based alternatives.
To make it dairy-free, use vegan cheese and ensure the marinara sauce is dairy-free.
To prevent dryness, always cover the casserole with foil while baking, removing it only during the final minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 servings
- Calories: 520 kcal
