Go Back
Delicious Pizza Pasta Casserole topped with cheese and pepperoni

Pizza Pasta Casserole

A comforting one-dish meal that combines tender pasta, savory beef, and layers of melty cheese, perfect for family gatherings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 12 ounces mezze rigatoni (or other short pasta of your choice)
Main Filling Ingredients
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 cup diced bell pepper (any color or combination)
  • ½ cup diced yellow onion
  • 8 ounces mushrooms (sliced)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • to taste Freshly ground black pepper
  • 25 ounces marinara (reduced sodium or regular)
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2.25 ounce can sliced black olives (drained)
  • ½ cup sliced pepperoni (sliced in half) (can use turkey pepperoni to reduce fat and calories)
  • 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Coat the bottom of a 13-x-9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Boil the pasta just shy of the package instructions, about 11 minutes is perfect. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until crumbled. Drain excess grease.
  4. Add diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
  5. Add garlic and mushrooms, stirring for another 3 to 4 minutes.
  6. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then stir in the marinara and a touch of water.
Layering and Baking
  1. Layer half of the cooked pasta in the baking dish, followed by half of the meat mixture.
  2. Sprinkle olives and pepperoni on top, then cover with a layer of cheese.
  3. Repeat the layers and bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.

Notes

Let the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking to allow the flavors to meld. For variations, feel free to add seasonal vegetables like zucchini or spinach.