Description
This Baked Pizza Pasta combines the savory flavors of pizza with the comforting heartiness of pasta. Ground beef, Italian seasoning, and pepperoni are mixed with rotini and a tangy pizza sauce, then baked with generous amounts of melted mozzarella cheese. It’s an easy, family-friendly casserole that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups rotini pasta (measured before cooking)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
Sauces and Liquids
- 14 ounce jar pizza sauce
- 3/4 cup water
Cheese and Toppings
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided use
- 36 slices pepperoni, divided use
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook 3 cups of rotini pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble the ground beef along with the diced onion, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Cook until the meat is fully browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Preheat Oven: Start preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking.
- Mix Sauce and Pasta: In a large mixing bowl, combine the 14-ounce jar of pizza sauce with 3/4 cup water. Add the cooked pasta, 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese, the cooked ground beef mixture, and 20 pepperoni slices (sliced in half). Stir everything together thoroughly.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Spray a 9×9-inch or 11×7-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the pasta mixture evenly into the dish.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta mixture. Arrange the remaining pepperoni slices on top evenly.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt slowly.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is fully melted and slightly bubbly.
Notes
- This baked pizza pasta is a family favorite—combining the flavors of pizza and pasta into one easy dish.
- Feel free to substitute ground Italian sausage for the beef for a spicier variation.
- You can add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat mixture for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Using rotini noodles helps hold onto the sauce and cheese well.
- Leftovers reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 497 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 846 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
