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Cheesy Pizza Casserole with Pepperoni and Ground Beef Recipe

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4 from 4 reviews

This hearty Pizza Casserole combines all your favorite pizza ingredients into a comforting baked pasta dish. Layers of al dente penne pasta, seasoned ground beef or Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes, pepperoni, and a blend of cheeses are baked to bubbly, golden perfection. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner that satisfies pizza cravings in a cozy casserole form.

Ingredients

Meat and Sauce

  • 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
  • 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes (or 2 15 oz cans of crushed tomatoes)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning

Pasta

  • 16 oz penne pasta

Cheese and Toppings

  • 3 cups Mozzarella cheese
  • 6 oz pepperoni
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Brown Meat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef (or Italian sausage) until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from getting too oily.
  2. Make the Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt to the browned meat. Stir well to combine all the flavors into a rich meat sauce.
  3. Cook Pasta Al Dente: While the sauce simmers, boil the penne pasta according to package instructions but stop cooking when it is al dente – firm to the bite but not fully soft. Drain the pasta well.
  4. Layer First Half: Spread half of the cooked pasta evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spoon half of the prepared meat sauce over the pasta. Sprinkle half of the Mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce. Then arrange half of the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.
  5. Layer Second Half: Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, Mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni slices, creating a second layer.
  6. Add Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle the 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer to add a sharp, nutty flavor and promote browning.
  7. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the casserole to heat through.
  8. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes. The top should become bubbly and golden brown, signaling the casserole is perfectly cooked.
  9. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This rest time helps the dish set, making it easier to cut and serve.

Notes

  • Using Italian sausage instead of ground beef adds extra flavor but can increase fat content.
  • Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy after baking.
  • For a spicier version, try adding crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini if preferred.
  • Covering the dish during the first bake stage prevents the pasta from drying out.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/cheesy-pizza-casserole-with-pepperoni-and-ground-beef-recipe/