Easy Pizza Pasta Bake
I’ve always counted myself lucky that my daughters are willing to eat almost anything I put in front of them. I know lots of kids aren’t as easygoing as mine. They look on any new dish with suspicion, and there are only a few things they’re really happy with.
However, there are two meals that even the pickiest eaters never turn up their noses at. They love pizza – especially with pepperoni and sausage – and they pasta with red sauce. So what could they possibly love more than a simple meal that combines the two?
This Easy Pizza Pasta Bake is as tasty as a fully loaded pizza, but much easier to make. There’s no need to start planning hours ahead of time to get pizza dough prepared, risen, and ready to bake. Just brown some spicy Italian sausage with onions, then stir in little chunks of pepperoni, pizza sauce, and Italian spices, and toss it with cooked pasta. Load it all into a baking dish, top with cheese and more pepperoni, and bake.
From start to finish, this whole meal only takes about half an hour to prepare. And better still, you know that once you get it on the table, everyone will actually be happy to eat it.
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I like my pizza with the works. Can I add extras like mushrooms and green pepper to this pasta bake?
Why not? Just brown your veggies along with the sausage and toss it into the mixture.
Does this pasta bake work with gluten free pasta?
I’ve never tried it that way, but a reader said she used gluten-free pasta in my Instant Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe and it came out fine. Go ahead and try it, and let me know the results.
How about a vegetarian version? Can you recommend meatless substitutes for the Italian sausage and pepperoni?
Field Roast Italian sausages are really good if you like them heavy on the fennel. Tofurky also makes a pretty good Italian sausage, but you’ll have to chop it up into small pieces before browning it. Veggie pepperoni is a bit harder; you could try to find Lightlife Smart Deli or Yves Meatless Pepperoni, or you could just leave it out.
Can I make this Casserole Bake ahead of time?
Yes, you can put the whole casserole together and then store it in the fridge overnight to bake the next day. But it will need to bake longer – maybe 25 to 30 minutes – to get it heated through.
How to Make Easy Pizza Pasta Bake
- penne pasta
- olive oil
- Italian sausage, casing removed
- chopped onions
- pepperoni
- jar pizza sauce
- dried oregano
- dried basil
- garlic powder
- mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Use the minimum cooking time (el dente as the pasta will continue to cook when you bake it). Once done cooking drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add Italian sausage and onion. Cook and breaking up the sausage, until browned, about 3-5 minutes. Drain off any excess fat. Take half of your pepperoni and cut them into 1/4th. Stir that pepperoni into your beef mixture.
- Stir in pizza sauce, oregano, basil and garlic powder.
- Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place cooked pasta and sausage mixture into baking dish. Gently stir to combine.
- Sprinkle top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Place the remaining whole pepperoni slices on top.
- Bake uncovered for about 6-10 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve immediately.
Easy Pizza Pasta Bake
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Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces spicy Italian sausage casing removed
- 1/2 cup chopped onions diced
- 1/2 cup pepperoni divided
- 15 oz jar pizza sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Use the minimum cooking time (el dente as the pasta will continue to cook when you bake it). Once done cooking drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add Italian sausage and onion. Cook and breaking up the sausage, until browned, about 3-5 minutes. Drain off any excess fat. Take half of your pepperoni and cut them into 1/4th. Stir that pepperoni into your beef mixture.
- Stir in pizza sauce, oregano, basil and garlic powder.
- Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place cooked pasta and sausage mixture into baking dish. Gently stir to combine.
- Sprinkle top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Place the remaining whole pepperoni slices on top.
- Bake uncovered for about 6-10 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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I loved this pasta recipe so much
For us, this has WAAAY too many calories, etc., for one piece of Pizza. We also despise Pepperoni & GREASY Italian Sausage. There are healthier substitutions which can be used,- but we especially always enjoy a Pizza which is loaded with fresh veggies, roasted chicken, & Artichokes.
Angelina, If you don’t care to eat Corey’s food no one is forcing you. Your post is uncalled for and rude.
Agree completely.