Description
This hearty Meatzza Casserole is a delicious, pizza-inspired pasta bake featuring a medley of Italian meats, fresh vegetables, savory pizza sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines the comforting flavors of a meaty pizza with the satisfying texture of al dente pasta baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients
- ½ lb lean ground beef
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 4 mild Italian sausages, casings removed
- ½ cup pepperoni slices
Pasta
- 3 cups uncooked pasta (such as penne, rotini, or ziti)
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 1 sweet onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
Other
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cups pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and cook pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook meats: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, chopped bacon, and Italian sausages. Cook until all the meat is browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease to keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
- Sauté vegetables: Using the same skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped sweet onion, green bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, and dried Italian seasoning. Cook until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Combine ingredients: Add the browned meat mixture and sautéed vegetables to the cooked pasta in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the pizza sauce and pepperoni slices, mixing thoroughly to combine all flavors evenly.
- Assemble casserole: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray or a bit of oil. Pour the pasta and meat mixture into the dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top in an even layer.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then serve hot. Enjoy your Meatzza Casserole as a satisfying main dish!
Notes
- You can substitute the pasta shape with any short pasta you prefer, like penne or rigatoni.
- For a spicier version, consider adding red pepper flakes or using spicy Italian sausages.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To make it lower fat, opt for turkey sausage and reduced-fat cheese.
