Pizza Casserole

This pizza casserole is pasta simmered in tomato sauce with pepperoni, sausage, olives and bell peppers, then topped with cheese and baked to golden brown perfection. A family friendly dinner option that always gets rave reviews!

Course Main

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Servings

Calories 470kcal

Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 lb mild Italian sausage casings removed
1/2 cup onion finely diced
1/2 cup green bell pepper diced
1 cup mushrooms sliced
3/4 cup mini pepperoni divided use
1/2 cup black olives sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
24 ounce jar marinara sauce
3 1/4 cups water
salt and pepper to taste
12 ounces short pasta such as corkscrew, rotini or penne
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
cooking spray

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until browned.
Add the onion, green bell pepper and mushrooms to the pot. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Add 1/2 cup of the pepperoni, olives and the garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
Add the marinara sauce, water, salt, pepper and pasta to the pot and bring to a simmer.
Cover the pot and cook over low heat for 12-14 minutes or until pasta is tender.
While the pasta is simmering, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Coat a 3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
After the pasta is finished cooking, pour the mixture into the baking dish.
Sprinkle the cheese over the top and arrange the remaining 1/4 cup of pepperoni on the cheese.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Video

Notes

Can’t find mini pepperoni at your store? You can use chopped regular sized pepperoni instead.

Any short pasta shape will work. I used corkscrew pasta, but other great options include rotini, penne, rigatoni or farfalle.

Make sure you use a large pot for this pizza casserole. The pasta will expand considerably as it cooks and you want to make sure you have enough room for it all!

Nutrition