Pizza Macaroni Casserole
Satisfy your cravings with this irresistible Pizza Macaroni Casserole, a crowd-pleasing dish that merges the comforting flavors of baked pasta with the cheesy, savory appeal of classic pizza. Featuring tender elbow macaroni coated in a rich, meaty sauce made with ground beef, diced onions, garlic, and zesty pizza sauce, this casserole is layered with gooey mozzarella, tangy parmesan, and slices of pepperoni for the ultimate indulgence. Seasoned to perfection with Italian herbs and baked until bubbling, this easy-to-make dinner is perfect for feeding a hungry family or impressing guests at your next potluck. Plus, it’s ready in just 45 minutes, making it your go-to recipe for busy weeknights or a quick comfort-food fix. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and enjoy every cheesy, pepperoni-packed bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz jarred pizza sauce
- 4 oz pepperoni slices
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease.
Season the beef mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Pour the pizza sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture. Stir and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the beef and sauce mixture. Stir until fully coated.
Spread half of the macaroni mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the parmesan cheese over the top.
Layer half of the pepperoni slices over the cheese layer.
Repeat the layers with the remaining macaroni, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and pepperoni slices.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4591 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 242.5 g | 311% | |
| Saturated Fat | 102.4 g | 512% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 695 mg | 232% | |
| Sodium | 8472 mg | 368% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 351.5 g | 128% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25.6 g | 91% | |
| Total Sugars | 64.1 g | ||
| Protein | 251.8 g | 504% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 2740 mg | 211% | |
| Iron | 35.2 mg | 196% | |
| Potassium | 3655 mg | 78% | |
*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.
