Pepperoni Ziti Casserole
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Pepperoni Ziti Casserole—a satisfying, flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Combining tender ziti pasta, savory ground Italian sausage, and zesty marinara sauce, this baked casserole is layered with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and tangy Parmesan cheese for a rich, velvety texture. The star of the dish? Generous slices of pepperoni, which provide a bold, smoky finish that will delight any pizza lover. Topped with golden, bubbly cheese and sprinkled with fresh parsley for a pop of color, this easy-to-make recipe offers a delightful balance of classic Italian flavors. Ready in just about an hour, it’s a cheesy, meaty, baked pasta masterpiece that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Perfectly suited for feeding a crowd, this pepperoni casserole is a true family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1.5 cups pepperoni slices
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light layer of olive oil.
Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes on low heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta, sausage marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Mix until evenly combined.
Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese over the layer. Place half the pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese.
Add the remaining pasta mixture as the second layer. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and pepperoni slices.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5515 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 413.6 g | 530% | |
| Saturated Fat | 174.9 g | 875% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1003 mg | 334% | |
| Sodium | 15620 mg | 679% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 169.8 g | 62% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.0 g | 46% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.2 g | ||
| Protein | 276.6 g | 553% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3355 mg | 258% | |
| Iron | 17.1 mg | 95% | |
| Potassium | 2212 mg | 47% | |
*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.
