If you love pizza and pasta, you are in for a treat! This pizza pasta casserole has everything you need to keep your family happy and satisfied.

This pizza pasta casserole combines the best things of Italian cooking. It gives you the delicious flavors of pizza with the richness and comforting appeal of pasta dishes.

So, how did I come up with this delicious recipe?

I had some leftover pasta and some toppings from our pizza night. I don’t like wasting food, so I decided to mix everything into a casserole.

The result?

The most amazing and mouthwatering casserole you’ve ever tried.

And, the best thing is that it took me only a couple of minutes to make, and most importantly, I didn’t spend hours cleaning the kitchen afterward.

One of the other things that I love about this recipe is that you can adjust it to your preferences.

For example, if you prefer to have a vegetarian option, you can swap out the meat for chopped mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for a loaded veggie casserole.

You can also play around with the cheeses. Try experimenting with different cheeses like cheddar, Pepper Jack, or provolone.

Now, for those who are looking to make this meal extra nutritious, you can swap the pasta for whole wheat pasta (this adds more fiber), add more veggies, and use lean turkey or chicken sausage to cut down the calories and the fat.

Ingredients and Substitutes

Lean ground beef (½ lb) – If you prefer a lighter option, you can use ground turkey or chicken.

Ground Italian sausage (½ lb) – For a milder dish, switch to turkey sausages. And, if you like spicy food, you can use spicy sausages.

Yellow onion, chopped (1/2 large) – If you don’t have yellow onion, you can use red or white onions. You can also use onion flakes or onion powder. 

Green bell pepper (1) – For a flavor and color boost, you can use different colored bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange).

Beef broth (½ cup) – You can also use vegetable or chicken broth.

Garlic, minced (3 cloves) – If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder or garlic flakes.

Worcestershire sauce (2 tsp) –  While you can use soy sauce or coconut amino as a substitute, I recommend using Worcestershire sauce since it has a unique flavor profile.

Hot sauce (1 tsp) – If you don’t like spicy food, you can remove this ingredient.

Dried basil (2 tsp)

Dried oregano (2 tsp)

Paprika powder (2 tsp) – If you would like to add some smokiness to the meal, you can use smoked paprika or chipotle powder.

Red pepper flakes (a pinch) – For those who don’t like spicy you can skip this ingredient.

Marinara sauce (32 oz jar) – If you prefer a milder taste, you can use homemade tomato sauce or canned tomatoes.

Pizza sauce (1 cup) – While you can also use homemade tomato sauce, I recommend keeping one of these sauces (either the marinara or pizza sauce). If you are looking for that pizza flavor, stick to the pizza sauce.

Penne pasta (¾ lb) – You can use other tubular pasta, like fusilli or rigatoni.

Parmesan, grated (¼ cup) – You can also use Pecorino or Asiago cheese.

Mozzarella, shredded (2 ½ cups) – Try experimenting with different flavors, like cheddar or provolone cheese.

Pepperoni (20 slices) – If you are making a plant-based version, skip this ingredient and add more vegetables. You can also use bacon bits or ham.

GARNISH

Parmesan, grated

Parsley, chopped

How to Make Pizza Pasta Casserole

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 380F. Grab a 9×13 casserole dish and grease it. Place a large pot of water to cook the pasta in, and add some salt once it has boiled.

Cook the pasta according to the instructions in the pasta, but take it out one minute before the recommended time.

Step 2. While you are cooking the pasta, place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, Italian sausage, and onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes.

Step 3. Add the bell peppers and cook for another 5 minutes or until the meat browns. Once it cooks, drain some of the grease from the pan.

Step 4. Pour in the beef broth and scrap around with a spatula to clean the bottom of the pan.

Step 5. Add the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, dried basil, oregano, paprika, and red pepper flakes.

Step 6. Combine everything thoroughly and cook for a couple of minutes.

Step 7. Add the marinara and pizza sauce. Stir until everything is well blended.

Step 8. Lower the heat and let it simmer for around 5 minutes.

Step 9. Add the Parmesan cheese to the skillet.

Step 10. Give it a good mix. 

Step 11. By now, your pasta should be already done. Drain it and add it to the skillet.

Step 12. Stir to combine everything.

Step 13. Now, it’s time to transfer the mixture to the greased casserole dish. Grab a spatula and level it out.

Step 14. Cover with the shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 15. Place the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.

Step 16. Grab some foil and spray it with oil (this prevents the cheese from sticking to the foil). Cover the casserole dish with the foil and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until the cheese is slightly golden. Once you are ready to have it, garnish it with parmesan and parsley.

How to Make This Casserole Dairy-Free?

If you are looking to make a vegan dish or you are lactose intolerant, there are several ways you can make this dish dairy-free.

• Cheese alternatives: Use dairy-free mozzarella and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
• Creamy base: If you want to add some creaminess to the dish, you can add coconut cream or soy-based cream instead of cheese. You can also add white beans instead to add more texture to the sauce.

Sides for Pizza Pasta Casserole

I believe that this meal is great on its own. It has everything you need to make it a complete meal. But here are some of the best side dishes if you want to elevate your dining experience.

• Green salad with a light vinaigrette
• Garlic bread
• Steamed vegetables
• Caesar salad
• Caprese salad

Storage and Leftovers

One of the best things about this recipe is that you can keep the leftovers to have later in the week.

Place the leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to three months.

This makes it a great recipe for meal prep. So, whenever you want some homemade comfort food, simply reheat it in the oven at 350F until it’s warmed through.

Other Casserole Recipes for You

• Taco Casserole
• Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
• Meatballs Pasta Casserole
• Sweet Potato Black Bean Casserole
• Tex Mex Casserole