Contest Winner Pizza Hotdish
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this award-winning Contest Winner Pizza Hotdish, a hearty casserole packed with bold Italian flavors! This crowd-pleasing dish combines savory ground Italian sausage, zesty pepperoni, and a medley of fresh vegetables like diced onion and bell pepper, all smothered in rich marinara sauce and layered with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Featuring tender rotini pasta baked to perfection, this pizza-inspired hotdish is seasoned with Italian herbs and optional red pepper flakes for a delightful kick. Easy to prepare in just under an hour, this casserole is the ultimate comfort food for family dinners, potlucks, or game-day gatherings. Don’t forget the fresh basil garnish to elevate every bite! Perfect as a one-dish meal, this recipe serves six and delivers all the classic pizza vibes in a warm, bubbly, cheesy pasta bake.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup Pepperoni slices
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 24 ounces Marinara sauce
- 12 ounces Rotini pasta, uncooked
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh basil, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta until al dente, as suggested on the package directions (typically 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until no longer pink (about 6-8 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 4-5 minutes.
Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sausage mixture. Stir until evenly coated.
Transfer half of the pasta and sausage mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the pepperoni slices.
Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the remaining mozzarella, pepperoni slices, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the hotdish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil, if desired, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4923 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 293.5 g | 376% | |
| Saturated Fat | 117.9 g | 590% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 792 mg | 264% | |
| Sodium | 10524 mg | 458% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 322.4 g | 117% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.9 g | 78% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.5 g | ||
| Protein | 236.7 g | 473% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2498 mg | 192% | |
| Iron | 19.3 mg | 107% | |
| Potassium | 3417 mg | 73% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
