50 min
Pizza Casserole
Recipe GLPR2fe531bc394646
A hearty, comforting baked pasta dish that brings together the beloved flavors of pizza in casserole form. Tender penne is tossed with seasoned marinara sauce, Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, and pepperoni, then topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for feeding a crowd and great for meal prep.
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Ingredients
Salt for pasta cooking water
Cooking spray for greasing
16 ounces dry penne pasta
8 ounces Italian sausage links
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 small red onion, chopped
4 ounces baby bella mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
24 ounces marinara sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
4 ounces pepperoni slices
Directions
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dry penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, brown the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks, until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F for ground sausage or is heated through if using pre-cooked links (approximately 8-10 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
In the same skillet, add the chopped red and green bell peppers, red onion, and sliced mushrooms. Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the mushrooms release their moisture.
Stir in the marinara sauce, black olives, garlic powder, dried basil, and dried oregano. Mix well and simmer for 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the sausage and vegetable mixture. Add half of the pepperoni slices and stir gently to distribute evenly throughout.
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Distribute the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the Parmesan layer. Top with the remaining pepperoni slices.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Divide among 8 servings and enjoy.
