Description
This Pizza Pasta Bake combines the irresistible flavors of Italian sausage, pepperoni, and marinara sauce with al dente pasta, all topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting family meal, this easy-to-make casserole bakes to bubbly perfection in under an hour.
Ingredients
Meat and Veggies
- ½ lb ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy) (225 grams)
- 1 small onion (finely diced)
- 1 cup quartered pepperoni slices (plus extra for topping)
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
Seasonings and Sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- ½ cup water
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 lb penne or rotini pasta (454 grams)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400℉ (200℃) if you plan to bake the dish immediately after preparing the sauce and pasta.
- Cook the sausage mixture: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground Italian sausage, diced onion, and quartered pepperoni slices until the sausage is browned and the onion turns soft and translucent.
- Add garlic and seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt; cook and stir for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and water, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook while you prepare the pasta.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne or rotini pasta and cook until just al dente—about 1 to 2 minutes less than the package directions recommend. Drain thoroughly.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix the cooked pasta and the sauce together thoroughly, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated.
- Add cheese and bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the pasta mixture. Add extra pepperoni slices on top if desired. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Serve hot.
Notes
- For a spicier version, use spicy Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes.
- Ensure pasta is slightly undercooked before baking to avoid overcooking and mushiness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- You can substitute penne or rotini with any other short pasta shape such as rigatoni or fusilli.
- Adding fresh basil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes before serving adds extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
