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Easy Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake (Family Favorite Dinner)

A spoonful of cheesy pizza pasta bake is lifted from a white bowl, showing a dramatic cheese pull.
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Make this simple, comforting Pizza Pasta Bake for a quick weeknight meal your whole family will enjoy. It combines pizza flavors with a cheesy baked pasta casserole.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces jar pizza sauce or marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup water or broth
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and onion. Cook until the meat is browned and the onion is soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the pizza sauce, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and water or broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the drained pasta, sliced pepperoni, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
  9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • To make this recipe freezer friendly, assemble the casserole completely (do not bake), cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, adding 10-15 minutes to the bake time.
  • For a make-ahead option, prepare the entire dish up to step 6, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5 minutes to the covered bake time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
  • You can substitute ground turkey for the beef if you prefer a lighter option.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookifyme.com/pizza-pasta-bake-recipe/