If there’s one dinner that’s guaranteed to light up everyone’s face at the table, it’s this Baked Pizza Pasta Casserole. Imagine everything you love about a slice of pizza—bubbly cheese, zesty tomato sauce, pepperoni, and that crave-worthy crust—but baked into a hearty pasta casserole that’s as satisfying as it is easy to throw together. This dish has all the cozy vibes of classic Pizza Hotdish Casseroles with the irresistible flavors of your favorite pizzeria. It’s the kind of dinner you’ll want to make again and again, especially on a weeknight when the craving for comfort food hits hard.
Baked Pizza Pasta Casserole
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Large pot for boiling the pasta. If you don’t have a stockpot, any deep saucepan will do.
Large skillet or sauté pan to cook the sausage, onions, and garlic. A cast iron skillet works beautifully if you want some seared edges.
9x13-inch baking dish essential for the casserole part. You can also use a large Dutch oven or divide it into two 8x8 dishes if you plan to freeze one.
Mixing bowls for combining ingredients.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula for stirring everything together.
Aluminum foil for covering during part of the bake to prevent cheese from burning.
Oven mitts things get hot!
- 1 pound penne pasta – sturdy enough to hold sauce and cheese without getting mushy.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound Italian sausage – spicy or sweet based on preference
- 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce – go for your favorite brand or homemade if you’ve got some ready.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes – optional for a bit of kick
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni – or slice regular ones in halves
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Optional toppings: cooked bacon, sautéed mushrooms, chopped jalapeños, or whatever your pizza heart desires.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease your baking dish with a bit of olive oil or cooking spray.
Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until just al dente—about 1–2 minutes shy of the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Sauté the sausage and aromatics
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté the diced onion until translucent. Toss in the garlic and cook for another minute. Add Italian sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook until browned and no pink remains.
Add the sauce and seasonings
Stir in the marinara or pizza sauce, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
Mix in the pasta
Add the cooked penne to the sauce mixture. Stir until well coated.
Assemble the casserole
In the greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella, provolone, pepperoni, olives, and bell pepper. Repeat with the remaining pasta and toppings. Finish with a generous layer of Parmesan.
Bake covered
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Bake uncovered
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
Let it rest
Allow the casserole to cool for about 5 minutes before slicing into it. Garnish with fresh basil just before serving.
Pairings in Detail
To complete this comforting meal, try pairing the casserole with:
- Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks – a natural fit and great for scooping up extra sauce.
- A crisp green salad with balsamic vinaigrette – something fresh to cut through all the gooey richness.
- Roasted vegetables, especially zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms, add earthy balance.
- Red wine – go with a bold Chianti, Zinfandel, or even a Barbera.
- Non-alcoholic pairings: sparkling water with lemon or a cold root beer for that old-school pizza parlor feel.
FAQs
1. Can I use ground beef or chicken instead of Italian sausage?
Absolutely. Ground beef or ground chicken are great alternatives. Just add a bit of Italian seasoning and fennel seeds if you want to mimic that sausage flavor.
2. What kind of pasta works best?
Penne is great because it holds sauce well and doesn’t overcook easily, but rotini, rigatoni, or ziti would all work. If you're aiming for a Pizza Spaghetti Casserole vibe, even spaghetti or linguine can be used—just be gentle during mixing.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before placing it in the oven.
4. What’s the difference between this and a Pizza Bake Casserole or Pizza Pie Recipe?
While they share ingredients, this recipe leans into the pasta aspect more heavily than a Pizza Pie Recipe, which might involve a crust. A Pizza Bake Casserole may also skip the pasta and focus purely on layers of toppings. This Baked Pizza Pasta Casserole lands somewhere deliciously in between.
5. Can I turn this into a Pizza Casserole with Biscuits or a Mexican Pizza Casserole?
Totally! For a biscuit twist, top the assembled dish with halved canned biscuit dough before baking (add 10 more minutes to bake time). For a Mexican Pizza Casserole variation, try spicing the sausage with taco seasoning, add corn and black beans, and swap marinara for enchilada sauce.
