Description
Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole is a cheesy, meaty baked pasta dish that combines all your favorite pizza toppings—ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and pizza sauce—into one easy, family-friendly casserole. It’s hearty, comforting, and perfect for weeknights or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
– 12 oz rotini pasta (or other short pasta), cooked and drained
– 1/2 lb ground beef
– 1/2 lb Italian sausage, casing removed
– 2 cups marinara sauce or pizza sauce
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 tsp garlic powder
– 1/2 tsp onion powder
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– Salt and black pepper, to taste
– Optional: chopped parsley or dried oregano for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully browned. Break the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
4. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat mixture, and marinara or pizza sauce. Stir until the pasta is fully coated.
6. Pour half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top and add half of the pepperoni slices.
7. Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top. Finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and the rest of the pepperoni slices.
8. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
9. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
10. Garnish with chopped parsley or dried oregano if desired.
Notes
– Use penne, fusilli, or elbow macaroni if rotini isn’t available.
– Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions for extra flavor.
– For a spicier version, use hot Italian sausage or sprinkle in red pepper flakes.
– To lighten it up, substitute ground turkey or turkey sausage.
– Freeze leftovers or the assembled unbaked casserole for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Keywords: meat lovers pizza casserole, baked pizza pasta, cheesy meat casserole, pepperoni pasta bake, sausage beef casserole, easy family dinner