Italian Pizza Bake

Satisfy your cravings for both pizza and pasta with this hearty Italian Pizza Bake—a crowd-pleasing casserole that combines the best of Italy’s beloved flavors. Tender penne pasta is tossed in a rich marinara sauce infused with sautéed onions, garlic, and savory Italian sausage, then layered with gooey mozzarella, salty Parmesan, and spicy pepperoni slices. Baked to golden, bubbly perfection and garnished with fresh basil, this dish brings the comforting taste of a pizza straight from Naples, with the filling satisfaction of a pasta bake. Ready in just under an hour, this easy-to-make meal is perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinner parties. Serve with a crisp salad and garlic bread for the ultimate Italian feast!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 500 grams ground Italian sausage
• 700 milliliters marinara sauce
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional for spiciness)
• 150 grams pepperoni slices
• 300 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
• 100 grams shredded Parmesan cheese
• 10 leaves fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with olive oil or nonstick spray.

Step 2

Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the diced onion until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently.

Step 4

Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease.

Step 5

Stir in the marinara sauce, dried Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce mixture, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, half of the shredded Parmesan cheese, and half of the pepperoni slices. Toss well to evenly coat.

Step 7

Pour the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and arrange the remaining pepperoni slices evenly on the surface.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Remove from the oven and allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for added flavor and presentation, if desired.

Step 10

Serve hot and enjoy your Italian Pizza Bake!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2362 grams (2362.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5741

Total Fat 333.10g	427%
Saturated Fat 132.90g	665%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 829mg	276%
Sodium 13344mg	580%
Total Carbohydrate 394.10g	143%
Dietary Fiber 25.70g	92%
Total Sugars 18.70g
Protein 287.50g	575%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3587mg	276%
Iron 28mg	155%
Potassium 3075mg	65%

*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: 52.4%

Protein: 20.1%

Carbs: 27.5%