Pizza Pasta Bake
Looking for the ultimate comfort food mashup? This Pizza Pasta Bake combines the best of two world-class favorites—pizza and pasta—into one irresistible, cheesy casserole that's perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Tender penne or rigatoni is coated in a rich, savory pizza sauce packed with ground Italian sausage, sautéed onions, and garlic, then layered with gooey mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for the perfect cheesy crust. Topped with fresh basil for a bright pop of flavor, this easy-to-make dish bakes to bubbly, golden perfection in just 30 minutes. Whether you're meal-prepping or feeding a crowd, this hearty pasta bake is guaranteed to satisfy pizza and pasta lovers alike!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (or ground beef)
- 2.5 cups pizza sauce
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the 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 diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until fully browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce mixture. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, the pepperoni slices, and the shredded parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the bake cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy your Pizza Pasta Bake!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
731 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 50.6 g | 65% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.1 g | 105% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 117 mg | 39% | |
| Sodium | 2570 mg | 112% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 33.3 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.8 g | ||
| Protein | 37.4 g | 75% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 434 mg | 33% | |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 677 mg | 14% | |
*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.
