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Easy One-Pot Pizza Pasta Bake for Your Weeknight Feast

A fork lifting a serving of baked pizza pasta, showing extreme cheese pull over a casserole dish.
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Create a comforting, cheesy pizza pasta bake that tastes like your favorite takeout but requires minimal cleanup. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying, family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup mini pepperoni slices
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the Italian sausage in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the marinara sauce and water. Add the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  6. Add the dry pasta directly to the sauce mixture. Stir well to coat all the pasta.
  7. Cover the skillet and cook over medium-low heat for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is nearly tender. If the mixture seems too dry, add a splash more water.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the mini pepperoni slices and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
  9. Transfer the entire mixture to your prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
  10. Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  11. Let the pizza pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before you serve this hearty pasta dish.

Notes

  • For a Supreme Pizza Pasta flavor, add sliced black olives and mushrooms along with the pepperoni.
  • If you do not have Italian sausage, you can substitute ground beef or use extra pepperoni.
  • This easy casserole recipe freezes well; assemble it completely, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. Thaw overnight before baking as directed.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://eatableempress.com/easy-one-pot-pizza-pasta-bake/