Description
This Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish combining ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and classic pizza seasonings baked over pasta and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting family meal, it brings the taste of pizza into a warm, cheesy casserole that’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy any meat lover’s cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 package (6 oz) pepperoni slices
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 cups cooked rotini pasta (or any pasta shape you prefer)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Other
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
- Cooking spray or olive oil (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking and prepare for baking.
- Cook the Meat: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Then add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the onion softens.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the pizza sauce, crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook 2 cups of rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Assemble the Casserole: In the prepared baking dish, mix the cooked pasta evenly with the meat sauce. Layer the pepperoni slices evenly over the pasta mixture. Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese generously on top.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set. Optionally garnish with extra pepperoni or fresh basil before serving. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- You can customize the sausage by choosing mild or spicy depending on your heat preference.
- If you prefer a milder dish, omit the red pepper flakes.
- Substitute any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne or rigatoni.
- For extra veggies, consider adding bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
