Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe
Ingredients:
12 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
1/2 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
1 small onion, diced
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for extra cheesiness)
1/2 cup sliced pepperoni, plus extra for topping
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
Chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Cook the pasta:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook the meat:
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and onion, cooking until the meat is browned and the onion is softened. Drain excess fat if needed.
Stir in the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Combine ingredients:
In a large bowl, mix together the cooked pasta, meat mixture, marinara or pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese (if using), and sliced pepperoni. Stir until everything is well combined.
Assemble the casserole:
Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with additional pepperoni slices and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake the casserole:
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve:
Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve the Pepperoni Pizza Casserole hot.