Pizza Casserole Easy and Kid Pleasing
Transform dinner into a family favorite with this 'Pizza Casserole Easy and Kid Pleasing' recipe that combines all the best flavors of pizza into a comforting baked dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, this simple casserole layers tender rotini pasta, savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, all crowned with classic pizza toppings like pepperoni, bell peppers, and black olives. With just 15 minutes of prep and a quick bake, this dish offers a crowd-pleasing, kid-approved twist on traditional pizza that’s as satisfying as it is effortless. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or looking for a make-ahead meal, this cheesy pasta bake has you covered!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Rotini pasta
- 1 pound Ground Italian sausage
- 24 ounces Marinara or pizza sauce
- 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Sliced pepperoni
- 1 cup Diced bell peppers
- 0.5 cup Sliced black olives
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 as needed Cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground Italian sausage until fully browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
Stir the marinara or pizza sauce into the cooked sausage, along with the dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sausage and sauce mixture. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the layer.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Evenly distribute the pepperoni slices, diced bell peppers, and sliced black olives over the top of the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
804 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 56.6 g | 73% | |
| Saturated Fat | 23.6 g | 118% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 142 mg | 47% | |
| Sodium | 2459 mg | 107% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 37.6 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.6 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.1 g | ||
| Protein | 38.0 g | 76% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 465 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 3.9 mg | 22% | |
| Potassium | 696 mg | 15% | |
*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.
