Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
This easy pepperoni pizza casserole combines penne pasta, sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni for a quick, family-friendly dinner idea for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 16 ounce- box penne pasta
- 1 jar pasta sauce your choice
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 package sliced pepperoni (quartered) save some sliced for the top
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉ and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Boil your penne pasta according to the package directions. Drain and return to the pot.
- Stir in the pasta sauce, cut the pepperoni into pieces (save some of the slices for the top). Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Combine half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the parmesan cheese, and add to the pasta mixture.
- Spread the pasta into the baking dish. Add the remaining mozzarella and pepperoni slices on top.
- Sprinkle with the Italian seasoning and the rest of the Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Variations:
- Add in some veggies like chopped onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers to make a supreme pizza casserole.
- Try a mixture of different meats. Add cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, bacon, or ham.
- Prefer a white pizza version, you can use alfredo sauce instead of tomato sauce, then add some spinach, ricotta, and some grilled chicken.
- Use homemade pasta sauce instead of jarred sauce.
Helpful Tips:
- You can make this recipe healthier by using turkey pepperoni and part-skim mozzarella cheese.
- Try to use a brick of mozzarella cheese and shred it yourself instead of the packaged pre-shredded cheese, because it will melt better.
- Double the recipe and eat one and freeze one for dinner at a later time- perfect for busy nights!
- If you want your pepperoni to be crispy, you can broil it for 1-2 minutes, but watch closely because it can get too brown.
- Don't skip the cooling time, as letting the casserole sit for 5 minutes or so allows it to set up and makes serving the dish easier.
- Serve this tasty casserole with garlic bread or breadsticks. As well as a side salad, green beans, or zucchini.
Storage and Leftovers
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- You can also freeze this casserole. Just make sure you let it cool completely before you put it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- To reheat from the refrigerator, you can microwave or reheat in the oven to warm. Thaw overnight if it's frozen, then bake covered at 350° for 20-30 minutes.