Easy Family Pizza Pasta Casserole
This easy family casserole recipe brings together everything people love about pizza and pasta into one warm, cheesy, comforting dish. It is simple to prepare, flexible with ingredients, and perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed family dinners when you want something dependable and satisfying.
Ingredients
Casserole
- 12 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or ziti) cooked al dente
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded part-skim if desired
- 1 cup turkey or beef pepperoni slices pork-free
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp salt or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground meat until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, onion, and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce mixture. Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Transfer everything to the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and the pepperoni slices.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
This casserole is very forgiving and easy to customize. Add mushrooms, olives, or extra vegetables if desired. For a crispier top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely. It can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen before baking.