Pizza Casserole

A fun comfort meal, this Pizza Casserole wraps one of your favorite dishes into a pasta person. The perfect easy weeknight meal for the family.

Who doesn’t love a warm slice of pizza? I know I do, but have you ever had it in a casserole version?

This Pizza Casserole is an absolute family favorite. Plus it is super easy to make with readily available ingredients.

You can really customize this recipe as well, adding in different meats or vegetables.

We like this as is as we are more of a “supreme” pizza loving family, but if that is not your style – you absolutely do not have to have the vegetables in there.

This is a nice filling main dish that your family will really enjoy. The flavors work so well together and you just want to come back for more.

If you are looking for another way to enjoy pizza, then you cannot go wrong with this Pizza Casserole.

Some of my other favorite pasta recipes that we have on our site include: Easy Goulash, Sloppy Joe Casserole and Tortellini Bake.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

• This is super customizable, you can make it to your liking.
• Serves a crowd and is absolutely filling.
• This is a great make-ahead freezer meal.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST):

Penne pasta
Ground beef
Ground sweet italian sausage
Onion
Mushrooms
Marinara sauce
Italian seasoning
Mozzarella cheese
Cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese
Pepperoni slices
Green bell pepper

HOW TO MAKE PIZZA CASSEROLE, STEP BY STEP:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. Cook the penne until al dente (about 7-8 minutes), then drain and set aside.
3. While the penne is cooking brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, diced onions and mushrooms together, until no pink remains.
4. Add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer then turn off the heat.
5. Add half of the penne noodles on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
6. Spoon half of the meat sauce on top of the noodles.
7. Sprinkle half of all cheeses on top.
8. Layer with pepperoni and bell pepper.
9. Repeat with another layer using the remaining ingredients.
10. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
11. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

CAN I USE ANOTHER PASTA?

Absolutely, if you are not set on penne you can use any smaller pasta such as rotini, bowtie, etc.

We like the penne just because it soaks up the sauce with its grooves and the hollow center.

But feel free to use a pasta that you like, as long as you use the same amount as the original recipe calls for.

DO I HAVE TO USE THE VEGETABLES?

We like to use the vegetables as we are more of the supreme pizza family, but they can be left out.

Feel free to add or omit any of the vegetables that you do or do not like. We sometimes also like to add olives and jalapenos for an extra kick.

DO I HAVE TO USE MARINARA SAUCE?

No, while this is our go-to sauce you can also use pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce.

You will end up with a different flavor with both of them, but you can try any of the three options and see what you like best.

WHAT CHEESE IS BEST TO USE?

We use a combination of mozzarella, cheddar and parmesan for this. You can choose any of your favorite cheese.

If you just want to stick with one cheese, that will be good and I would highly suggest mozzarella as it more of the pizza cheese.

I would also highly suggest that you use freshly grated cheese as it melts better.

HOW TO STORE:

This can be stored in the casserole dish covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will keep for up to 3 days.

This can also be frozen, you can freeze this before hand. To do that prepare everything according to the directions and then layer it in the casserole dish.

Skip the baking and wrap with plastic wran and then foil and it will keep for up to 3 months.

To defrost, remove to the refrigerator overnight and bake according to the directions.

To freeze after baking, place in a freezer container or bag and it will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To defrost again, place in the refrigerator overnight until thawed and then reheat in the microwave or covered in the oven at 350 until heated through.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

• You can use both ground beef and pork, or just one or the other.
• Add or omit any of the vegetables that you like in this recipe.
• Other pasta can be used, see above on some ideas.
• This can be frozen ahead of baking or after, see above on how to do that.
• You can just use one cheese if you prefer, but make sure that it is freshly grated.
• We use marinara sauce in this recipe, but you can use pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce as well – just know the flavors will turn out differently.

Looking for that tasty dinnertime recipe that is easy to throw together, then you absolutely need to make this Pizza Casserole.

If you like this recipe you might also like:

• Chicken Alfredo Casserole
• Taco Spaghetti
• Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
• One Pot Cajun Pasta

If you’ve tried this PIZZA CASSEROLE or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and what shenanigans I’m getting into!