Pizza Casserole Recipe

4.95 from 19 votes

This pizza casserole recipe is a delicious main dish that's easy to make with 9 ingredients and only takes 10 minutes to prepare.

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Total Time40

Course: dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings: Servings

Author: Laura

Cost: $10

Equipment

Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked Rotini pasta (3 cups dry)
1 Tablespoons olive oil
20 ounces Italian sausage (1.25 lbs)
½ cup onion (finely diced, optional)
25 ounces Marinara Sauce
1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
¼ to ½ teaspoon garlic salt (to taste)
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (1 ½ cups)
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)
1 cup pepperoni

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees F.
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cool water and transfer to a large bowl. Set aside.
In a large sauté pan or skillet, add 1 TBS olive oil and 20 oz Italian sausage (optional: add 1/2 cup finely diced onion). Sauté until sausage is brown and completely cooked through.
Add pasta sauce to skillet and stir.
Add Italian seasoning, garlic salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
Add sauce mixture to cooked and drained pasta and stir to combine.
Pour mixture into a glass 9x13” baking dish or baking dish of choice.
Sprinkle the top evenly with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
Evenly place pepperoni (or desired toppings) on top of the cheese.
Bake (uncovered) in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown and bubbly. Remove and serve!

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

Rotini. Use your favorite pasta variety (penne, bow ties, etc. etc.). You can also substitute gluten-free pasta varieties to make this dish gluten-free.
Italian Sausage. choose your favorite variety, mild to spicy, pork/turkey/chicken, etc.
Pasta Sauce. Choose your favorite, I recommend marinara or tomato basil. Make this homemade marinara sauce recipe.
Mozzarella cheese. I recommend a part-skim mozzarella, but there are so many options that could be used including: Italian cheese blend, fresh mozzarella, etc.
Pepperoni. We almost always use turkey pepperoni, but once again, use your favorite.

Store/Freeze

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can freeze individual portions in airtight containers or the entire casserole wrapped in plastic wrap/foil. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven set to warm.

Prepare in Advance

To make this dish in advance or to bring it to a friend as a meal unbaked, make and assemble the casserole and then cover it and store until you want to bake it.

If it will be stored for less than 2 hours before baking and serving, I recommend leaving it covered at room temperature.

To store for longer (or overnight), place the covered baking dish in the refrigerator. You can even freeze it at this point for up to 2 months.

Nutrition