Easy Pizza Casserole

Satisfy your pizza cravings with this flavor-packed Easy Pizza Casserole—a weeknight dinner hero that combines all the best parts of a classic pizza in a hearty, family-friendly bake. Featuring tender penne pasta coated in savory marinara sauce, perfectly browned Italian sausage, and ooey-gooey layers of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, this casserole is crowned with a generous layer of pepperoni for that authentic pizzeria touch. Customize it to your taste with optional toppings like diced bell peppers or black olives, and enjoy the bold flavors of Italian seasoning and garlic in every bite. Ready in just 40 minutes, this crowd-pleasing dish is perfect for feeding a hungry table of six and is sure to become a new go-to recipe in your home. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, it’s comfort food at its finest—easy, cheesy, and irresistibly delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Penne pasta
• 24 oz Marinara or pizza sauce
• 1 lb Ground Italian sausage
• 1.5 cups Pepperoni slices
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Diced bell peppers (optional)
• 0.5 cup Sliced black olives (optional)
• 1 tsp Dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tbsp Vegetable or olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease if necessary.

Step 4

Stir in the marinara or pizza sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to the cooked sausage. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sausage and sauce mixture, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and optional bell peppers and black olives if using. Mix well to ensure even distribution.

Step 6

Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 7

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Add the pepperoni slices as the final layer, arranging them neatly.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges.

Step 9

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 10

Serve warm and enjoy your Easy Pizza Casserole!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2474.4 grams (2474.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6249

Total Fat 398.30g	511%
Saturated Fat 157.90g	790%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 985mg	328%
Sodium 15876mg	690%
Total Carbohydrate 378.70g	138%
Dietary Fiber 36.60g	131%
Total Sugars 56.20g
Protein 285.40g	571%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2860mg	220%
Iron 36mg	198%
Potassium 5761mg	123%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.4%

Protein: 18.3%

Carbs: 24.3%