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Pizza pasta bake is an easy casserole recipe with layers of pepperoni, sausage and lots of gooey cheese baked in tomato sauce. A family favorite dinner!

pepperoni pizza pasta bake with melty cheese on a serving spoon.

Baked Pizza Pasta

Indulge in delicious comfort food with this cheesy casserole loaded with pepperoni and sausage. This easy recipe is perfect for a family dinner or a potluck dish. It’s an easy weeknight meal that comes together quickly and gives you plenty of leftovers for later.

My family loves pizza, and we all love pasta, so believe me, nobody had any complaints about this easy dinner! Even the picky eaters love it! Pepperoni pizza casserole is loaded with tons of ooey-gooey cheese, Italian sausage, tangy sauce, spicy pepperoni and, of course, pasta. Try my pepperoni pizza dip or this Instant Pot version or one pan version of this pizza casserole recipe next.

italian sausage, marinara sauce, penne pasta, pepperoni, spices, cheese.

Ingredients

Here’s a quick overview of what you need to make this cheesy baked pasta recipe. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

  • Penne pasta — or any longer pasta shapes like ziti, rotini pasta or cellentani (cork screw pasta) work best.
  • Italian sausage — either in casings, which you will remove, or ground. You can use chicken or turkey sausage or sub ground beef if you prefer, but the flavor will be different.
  • Marinara sauce — I use a large jar of pasta sauce, but use your favorite tomato sauce or pizza sauce.
  • Seasonings — Italian seasoning and garlic powder for extra flavor
  • Cheese — a combo of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. I sometimes use Provolone cheese for extra cheesiness.
  • Pepperoni slices — for topping

How to Make Pizza Pasta Bake

First, cook the pasta until just al dente. You don’t want to cook it too much as it will longer in the oven. Drain in a colander, and set aside. To prevent the pasta from sticking, you can drizzle it with olive oil or rinse it with cold water — your choice. Next, you’ll cook the sausage and stir in the marinara sauce.

stir sausage and marinara sauce in pan.

Mix about half of the sausage mixture with the pasta. You can do this right in the baking dish. Spread the rest of the meat mixture over the pasta layer.

mix sauce with cooked pasta in baking dish.

Finally, top the pasta with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese. Then, add sliced pepperoni on top of the cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, and dinner is ready!

top casserole with cheese and pepperoni slices.

Serving Suggestions

My favorite part about serving this dish was watching the kids’ eyes get wide as they watched the strings of melted cheese stretch farther and farther. Because this is such a hearty casserole, you only need a green salad as a side dish. Sometimes, we like to add homemade garlic bread on the side.

melted cheese and crispy pepperoni on baked pizza pasta casserole.

Recipe Tip

When you drain the pasta, stir in a little olive oil or rinse with cold water to prevent it from sticking.

Super easy to customize! Use your favorite pizza toppings. You can use ground beef instead of sausage or leave out the meat and use only pepperoni or make a cheese pizza pasta.

Storage

Store leftover pizza pasta in an airtight container in your fridge for 4-5 days. You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. This casserole reheats well in the microwave. Just add a little more sauce and cheese if it’s a little dry.

5 from 1 vote

Pizza Pasta Bake with Pepperoni and Sausage

By: Dee
Pizza pasta bake is an easy casserole recipe with layers of pepperoni, sausage and lots of gooey cheese baked in tomato sauce. A family favorite dinner!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients  

  • 16 oz penne pasta
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsps Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • pepperoni slices
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Instructions 

  • Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside
  • Preheat oven to 375℉, and grease a 9×13 baking dish
  • Cook the sausage in a large pan over medium high heat until brown, breaking up as you go
  • Stir in the marinara sauce, garlic powder and Italian seasoning
  • Add the pasta to prepared baking dish
  • Stir in about half of the sausage mixture, then add the remaining meat mixture on top of the pasta
  • Top pasta with mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and pepperoni
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through

Notes

When you drain the pasta, stir in a little olive oil or rinse with cold water to prevent it from sticking.
Use your favorite pizza toppings. You can use ground beef instead of sausage or leave out the meat and use only pepperoni or make a cheese pizza pasta.

Nutrition

Calories: 431kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 53mg, Sodium: 895mg, Potassium: 457mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 477IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 250mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian American
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Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. Emily says:

    Loved making this for our last football get together! What a huge hit! Friends are already asking it for hte next get together!5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      Awesome! So glad everyone liked the recipe.

  2. Miz Helen says:

    Hi Dee, What a great Pasta Bake, it looks awesome!

  3. Michele says:

    Thanks, darling for always inspiring me to get into that kitchen and start making something yummy.