Description
Mama’s Pizza Casserole is a delicious and hearty baked pasta dish that combines savory ground beef, flavorful pizza sauce, tender pasta, and melty cheeses to create a kid-friendly, easy weeknight dinner bursting with classic pizza flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 (24 oz) jar pizza sauce or marinara
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Other Ingredients
- 1 (6 oz) can sliced black olives, drained
- 1 (3.5 oz) package pepperoni slices, divided
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta, cooked and drained
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with the diced onion and minced garlic, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Add Sauce and Seasonings: Stir in the pizza sauce, drained black olives, half of the pepperoni slices, and Italian seasoning. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste, and mix well to combine all flavors.
- Mix in Cooked Pasta: Add the cooked and drained rotini or penne pasta to the skillet, stirring thoroughly to evenly coat the pasta with the meat and sauce mixture.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top, then arrange the remaining pepperoni slices on top of the cheese layer.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to set and make it easier to portion.
Notes
- Customize the casserole by adding your favorite pizza toppings like green peppers, mushrooms, or cooked sausage.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta instead of regular pasta.
- You can substitute the cheeses with your preferred types if desired, such as provolone or Monterey Jack.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
