Italian Pizza Bake
Satisfy your cravings for both pizza and pasta with this hearty Italian Pizza Bake—a crowd-pleasing casserole that combines the best of Italy’s beloved flavors. Tender penne pasta is tossed in a rich marinara sauce infused with sautéed onions, garlic, and savory Italian sausage, then layered with gooey mozzarella, salty Parmesan, and spicy pepperoni slices. Baked to golden, bubbly perfection and garnished with fresh basil, this dish brings the comforting taste of a pizza straight from Naples, with the filling satisfaction of a pasta bake. Ready in just under an hour, this easy-to-make meal is perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinner parties. Serve with a crisp salad and garlic bread for the ultimate Italian feast!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 500 grams ground Italian sausage
- 700 milliliters marinara sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional for spiciness)
- 150 grams pepperoni slices
- 300 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
- 100 grams shredded Parmesan cheese
- 10 leaves fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with olive oil or nonstick spray.
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the diced onion until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently.
Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the marinara sauce, dried Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce mixture, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, half of the shredded Parmesan cheese, and half of the pepperoni slices. Toss well to evenly coat.
Pour the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and arrange the remaining pepperoni slices evenly on the surface.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are slightly golden brown.
Remove from the oven and allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for added flavor and presentation, if desired.
Serve hot and enjoy your Italian Pizza Bake!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
810 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 55.7 g | 71% | |
| Saturated Fat | 22.9 g | 114% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 133 mg | 44% | |
| Sodium | 2149 mg | 93% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.5 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.4 g | ||
| Protein | 42.1 g | 84% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 595 mg | 46% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 336 mg | 7% | |
*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.
