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One Pot Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

Close-up of a baked pizza pasta casserole with rotini pasta, meat sauce, pepperoni, and melted mozzarella cheese.
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This recipe combines the flavors of pizza with pasta in an easy, one-pot dish that bakes up cheesy and comforting. It is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed (or ground beef)
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar pizza or marinara sauce
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup mini pepperoni slices
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the pizza sauce, chicken broth, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes, if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Add the dry pasta and water to the skillet. Stir well to combine, making sure the pasta is mostly submerged.
  6. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is nearly tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the pepperoni slices and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
  8. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
  9. Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  10. Let the pizza pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef or ground turkey for the Italian sausage.
  • For a make-ahead option, assemble the casserole completely (up to the final bake), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Add 10 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
  • Use your favorite pizza toppings like sliced mushrooms or black olives when stirring in the pepperoni.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishsymphony.com/one-pot-cheesy-pizza-pasta-bake/