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Easy Weeknight Pizza Pasta Bake

A close-up shot of a cheesy slice of pizza pasta bake topped with melted mozzarella and pepperoni.
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A simple, cheesy pasta casserole combining pizza flavors, perfect for a quick family dinner or making ahead.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage or ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and water. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked pasta and the sliced pepperoni.
  7. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Sprinkle with 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese.
  9. Top with the remaining pasta mixture, the remaining ricotta mixture, and the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese.
  10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • To make this ahead, assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
  • For freezing, assemble the dish in a freezer-safe container, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, or bake from frozen, adding about 20 minutes to the total cook time.
  • You can substitute the pepperoni with cooked mushrooms, sliced black olives, or cooked ground turkey.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerykings.com/pizza-pasta-bake-recipe-easy-cheesy/