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Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake: Easy Weeknight Comfort

A close-up of a serving of amazing pizza pasta baked with melted mozzarella and pepperoni slices.
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Create the ultimate comfort food mashup with this Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake. This recipe combines tender pasta, rich marinara, and classic pizza toppings into one satisfying, easy-to-make casserole. It is perfect for busy weeknights and guarantees a family favorite with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound penne pasta (or rotini)
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 cup cooked ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
  • 7 ounces sliced pepperoni, divided
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until it is slightly underdone (al dente). Drain the pasta well.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, marinara sauce, pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. If using, stir in the cooked ground beef or sausage.
  4. Stir in 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese and half of the pepperoni slices until evenly mixed.
  5. Spread the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  6. Top the pasta evenly with the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese and the remaining pepperoni slices. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top layer.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is fully melted.
  8. For extra browning, switch the oven to broil for the last 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  9. Let the pizza pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • You can substitute the ground beef or sausage with cooked diced ham or extra vegetables like mushrooms and green peppers for variety.
  • To make this a true one-pot meal, cook the pasta directly in the sauce mixture on the stovetop, adding extra water or broth as needed, then transfer to the baking dish for the final bake.
  • This casserole reheats well, making it excellent for meal prep lunches.

Nutrition

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