Description
Mama’s Pizza Casserole is a hearty and comforting American main course that combines the flavors of a classic pizza with the ease of a casserole. Featuring ground beef, Italian seasonings, savory pizza sauce, and a cheesy topping of mozzarella and cheddar, this baked pasta dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 (24 oz) jar pizza sauce or marinara
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Add-ins
- 1 (6 oz) can sliced black olives, drained
- 1 (3.5 oz) package pepperoni slices, divided
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta, cooked and drained
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prep the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cook the beef mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from being greasy.
- Add sauce and seasonings: Stir in the pizza sauce, drained black olives, half of the pepperoni slices, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Mix everything thoroughly to combine flavors.
- Combine with pasta: Add the cooked and drained rotini or penne pasta to the skillet with the meat sauce mixture, stirring well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour the pasta and meat mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly on top. Arrange the remaining pepperoni slices over the cheese for a classic pizza touch.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to set and prevent burning.
Notes
- Customize by adding your favorite pizza toppings such as green peppers, mushrooms, or cooked sausage for extra flavor and texture.
- Use gluten-free pasta to accommodate gluten sensitivities or to make the dish gluten-friendly.
- This casserole can easily be doubled to feed a larger crowd or for leftovers.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and can be reheated in the microwave or oven.
