Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
Craving pizza but not in the mood to stretch dough or make a huge mess in the kitchen? This Pepperoni Pizza Casserole delivers all the delicious flavors of pizza in a quick, easy, and family-friendly casserole you can have ready in less than an hour. It’s a fun twist on a classic favorite and the perfect way to use up leftover pizza toppings.
This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you want a comforting meal that’s easy to prepare. With just a few pantry staples and simple steps, you’ll have a dish everyone will love.
Table of Contents
Chef’s Tips
- Cheese quality: For the best melt and flavor, shred your mozzarella from a block instead of using pre-shredded cheese.
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it, covered, until ready to bake. Just increase the baking time by a few minutes if baking straight from the fridge.
- Customizable: Feel free to mix in your favorite pizza toppings like bell peppers, onions, olives, or mushrooms to make it your own.
- Crispy pepperoni: For a crispier pepperoni topping, broil the casserole for the last few minutes of baking.
Ingredients
- 16 oz rotini pasta noodles: Cooked al dente to maintain texture during baking.
- 24 oz pizza sauce: Use your favorite brand or homemade sauce for the base.
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning: Adds classic pizza flavors.
- 16 oz mozzarella cheese (divided): Freshly shredded for the best melting results.
- 6 oz pepperoni slices (divided): Half mixed in and half used for the topping.
- Cooking spray: To prevent the casserole from sticking to the dish.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook the pasta: Boil the rotini noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the pizza sauce and Italian seasoning. Stir until well mixed.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour the sauce over the cooked noodles and mix until evenly coated. Stir in 12 oz of mozzarella cheese and half of the pepperoni slices until combined.
- Layer the dish: Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, then arrange the reserved pepperoni slices decoratively on the cheese.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot. Enjoy your cheesy, comforting pizza casserole!
FAQs
Absolutely! Customize your casserole with your favorite pizza toppings like sautéed mushrooms, diced bell peppers, black olives, or even cooked sausage.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the oven until warmed through.
Yes, this casserole freezes beautifully. Once it’s completely cooled, cover it tightly with foil or transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
Yes, any short pasta like penne, fusilli, or shells will work well in this recipe. Just be sure to cook it al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
This Pepperoni Pizza Casserole combines all the best parts of pizza and pasta into one easy, comforting dish. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, it’s sure to become a new favorite in your home!
Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 oz rotini pasta noodles cooked al dente
- 24 oz pizza sauce
- 2 tbsp italian seasoning
- 16 oz mozzarella cheese divided
- 6 oz pepperoni slices divided
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook pasta according to package directions, until al dente.
- Add pizza sauce and Italian seasoning to a medium bowl and stir.
- Once noodles are done, drain and add to a large bowl.
- Stir in sauce.
- Add 12 oz of mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, except for 15 slices to go on top. Stir until combined.
- Pour into a baking dish.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of the pasta mixture.
- Arrange 15 slices of pepperoni on top of cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and serve hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.
