Quick Pizza Casserole

Experience the ultimate comfort food mashup with this Quick Pizza Casserole, a mouthwatering combination of classic pizza flavors and hearty pasta goodness. Perfect for busy weeknights, this family-friendly recipe comes together in just 40 minutes and delivers layers of tender rotini pasta, savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, gooey melted mozzarella, and a topping of crispy pepperoni. Enhanced with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of Parmesan, each bite bursts with bold, cheesy, pizza-inspired flavors. Baked to golden, bubbling perfection and optionally garnished with fresh basil, this easy casserole is the ideal way to satisfy pizza cravings without the hassle. Make it your go-to one-dish dinner for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s as simple as it is satisfying!

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Rotini pasta (or any short pasta)
• 1 lb Ground Italian sausage (or ground beef)
• 24 oz Marinara or pizza sauce
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Sliced pepperoni
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Chopped fresh basil (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the skillet with the cooked sausage. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and the sausage sauce mixture. Mix until evenly coated.

Step 6

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray. Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly into the dish.

Step 7

Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the pasta layer.

Step 8

Layer half of the pepperoni slices over the cheese.

Step 9

Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 10

Arrange the remaining pepperoni slices on top of the casserole.

Step 11

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

Step 12

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

Step 13

Garnish with freshly chopped basil, if desired, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2046.1 grams (2046.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4635

Total Fat 319.20g	409%
Saturated Fat 131.40g	657%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 812mg	271%
Sodium 15928mg	693%
Total Carbohydrate 200.60g	73%
Dietary Fiber 23.30g	83%
Total Sugars 52.80g
Protein 234.70g	469%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2790mg	215%
Iron 22mg	122%
Potassium 4137mg	88%

*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: 62.3%

Protein: 20.3%

Carbs: 17.4%