This 10-ingredient Pizza Pasta recipe has all your favorite pizza toppings in a hearty pasta dish that’s easy to make in 45 minutes! It's a family favorite recipe that will be requested for a weeknight dinner time and time again.
When your son comes home from college and asks if he can make dinner, the ONLY answer is YES! My son, Gage, whipped this dinner up in about 45 minutes and we were floored at how delicious it is!
This hearty pasta dish is loaded with savory meats, melty cheese, and tangy sauce with all your favorite pizza flavors. Baked until hot and bubbly from the oven or served straight from the stovetop, it's a dinner that's a guarantee your whole family will love!
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Next time you're searching for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead dish to bring to a get-together, make this recipe! Some more easy dinner recipes you'll want to add to your must-make list are my French Onion Chicken and Rice Bake, Baked Ravioli Recipe, and Crock Pot Beef and Noodles!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Like This Recipe
- Easy Recipe. With simple steps, this easy pizza pasta bake is quick to prepare and clean up.
- Crowd-Pleaser. Loaded with flavor, it’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or game day get-togethers.
- Customizable. Adjust the recipe to your own favorite pizza toppings—swap out meats, add veggies, or vary the cheeses! We like the pizza-style finish by baking it in the oven, but you can also serve it straight from the stovetop!
- Comfort Food. This pizza pasta casserole combines all the favorite flavors of pizza and pasta into one delicious recipe.
- Leftover Friendly. This cheesy pepperoni pizza pasta bake reheats well, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying the next day!
Ingredients
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Pasta: The base of the dish that holds all the flavors together; any curly, tube, or short pasta works well. Penne, vesuvio, cavatappi or rotini pasta are great options!
- Italian Sausage: Adds a spicy, savory kick.
- Ground Beef: Provides a hearty, rich taste.
- Mushrooms: Introduce an earthy flavor and enhance the overall texture.
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the mushrooms and adds richness.
- Pepperoni Slices: One of the most iconic classic pizza flavors, slices of pepperoni brings a burst of flavor and a bit of spice.
- Salami: Adds a unique taste with its savory notes.
- Sliced Black Olives: Provides tanginess and a nice contrast to the richness of the other ingredients.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Offers that gooey, melted goodness essential for any baked pasta dish.
- Marinara Sauce: The flavorful sauce that ties everything together.
- Parmesan Cheese and Fresh Basil (optional topping): Parmesan adds an extra layer of cheesy flavor and a touch of nuttiness on top. Fresh basil adds a pop of color, flavor, and freshness.
Tools You'll Need
- Large Skillet
- Small Skillet
- Stockpot
- Cheese Grater
- Liquid Measuring Cups
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Spatula/Stirring Spoon
- 13”x9” Casserole Dish
- Meat Chopper
How to Make this Pizza Pasta Recipe
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 1 minute less than the package calls for al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat, add Italian sausage and ground beef. Crumble and cook until browned and cooked through (about 7-10 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary. Season with a seasoning salt blend or salt and black pepper.
- Slice cleaned mushrooms in ¼-inch slices. In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté until they are tender and browned (about 5-7 minutes). Season with a seasoning salt blend or salt and black pepper.
- In the pan with the cooked meat, add the sautéed mushrooms, pepperoni, salami, black olives, and marinara sauce. Add ¾ cup water to the pasta sauce jar. Close, shake, then add to the bowl. Stir to combine and let it simmer on low-medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and drained pasta, meat sauce, and ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese. Stir until the pasta is well coated.
- Pour the mixture into a 13x9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta.
- Bake 8-10 minutes or until the cheese starts to turn golden brown. Carefully remove from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese and/or fresh basil before serving.
- Alternatively, you can opt to serve this dish straight from the stovetop. Make sure the pan used to make the meaty sauce is large enough to fold in the cooked and drained pasta and ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining cheese to the top, cover with a lid, and allow the mixture to cook until the cheese melts.
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Add Extra Veggies. Feel free to toss in bell peppers, onion, spinach, or zucchini for more flavor and nutrition!
- Spice it Up. You can add crushed red pepper flakes or spicy Italian sausage for heat. For a milder version, simply omit spicy ingredients.
- Sauce It Up. My kids prefer the sauce amount as the recipe is written. However, if I'm making it ahead of time, I'll either add an additional 8 ounces marinara to the mixture or serve extra on the side since the pasta will absorb quite a bit of the moisture.
- Different Meat Options. Ham, mini pepperoni, cooked and crumbled bacon, and chopped cooked chicken are also yummy meat options. For a healthier version, consider using ground turkey or chicken, ground turkey sausage, and turkey pepperoni.
- Cheesy Surprise. For even more cheesiness, add some ricotta or cottage cheese dollops in the pizza bake. You could even add these flavorful Marinated Mozzarella Balls!
- Use Different Types of Pasta for Dietary Needs. Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version. Whole wheat pasta is another great option.
- Sauce. Substitute marinara sauce or pizza sauce with Alfredo sauce for a creamy twist.
- Cheese. Experiment with different cheese blends like provolone or cheddar for varied flavors. Fresh mozzarella slices can be used instead of shredded as well.
- Add Extra Flavor. Feel free to customize the flavors to your liking. You could add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or minced garlic cloves. Garnishing with fresh basil and/or parmesan cheese also adds excellent flavors!
Storage
Refrigeration: Store leftover baked pizza pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to the container.
Freezing: This pizza pasta recipe can be frozen for longer storage. To do so, let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. The texture of the pasta and cheese could potentially be compromised.
Reheating: To reheat from the refrigerator, simply place your desired portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat until warmed through, or cover and reheat in the oven at 350°F until hot. For frozen pizza pasta, it's best to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can prepare the dish up to the baking step, cover it securely, and refrigerate it for up to a day in advance. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re baking it straight from the fridge. You might consider adding 1 cup additional marinara or sauce if making ahead of time as the pasta will absorb liquid the longer it's stored.
Short pasta shapes like penne pasta, fusilli, or rotini work best since they hold the sauce and toppings well. However, feel free to use any pasta you have on hand!
Yes! You can easily customize the meat based on your preferences. Ground turkey, shredded chicken, chopped ham, cooked and crumbled bacon or even meat substitutes work well in this baked dish.
Certainly! You can skip the meat entirely and replace it with extra vegetables such as green peppers, zucchini, or spinach. You could also use a plant-based meat alternative for added texture.
More Easy and Delicious Pasta Bakes
Pizza Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta penne, rotini, vesuvio, cavatappi
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 ounces sliced pepperoni bite-sized pieces
- 2 ounces salami bite-sized pieces
- 3.8 ounce can sliced black olives drained
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 32 ounces marinara sauce or pizza sauce
- ¾ cup water
- seasoning salt blend or salt and black pepper amount as desired
- Optional Toppings: parmesan cheese and fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 1 minute less than the package calls for al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet or pot over medium high heat, add Italian sausage and ground beef. Crumble and cook until browned and cooked through (about 7-10 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary. Season with a seasoning salt blend or salt and black pepper.
- In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté until they are tender and browned (about 5-7 minutes). Season with a seasoning salt blend or salt and black pepper.
- In the pan with the cooked meat, add the sautéed mushrooms, pepperoni, salami, black olives, and marinara sauce. Add ¾ cup water to the pasta sauce jar. Close, shake, then add to the pan. Stir to combine and let it simmer on low-medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and drained pasta, meat sauce, and ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese. Stir until the pasta is well coated.
- Pour the mixture into a 13x9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta.
- Bake 8-10 minutes or until the cheese starts to turn golden brown. Carefully remove from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese and/or fresh basil before serving.
- Alternatively, you can opt to serve this dish straight from the stovetop. Make sure the pan used to make the meaty sauce is large enough to fold in the cooked and drained pasta and ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining cheese to the top, cover with a lid, and allow the mixture to cook until the cheese melts.
Video
Notes
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Add Extra Veggies. Feel free to toss in bell peppers, onion, spinach, or zucchini for more flavor and nutrition!
- Spice it Up. You can add crushed red pepper flakes or spicy Italian sausage for heat. For a milder version, simply omit spicy ingredients.
- Sauce It Up. My kids prefer the sauce amount as the recipe is written. However, if I'm making it ahead of time, I'll either add an additional 8 ounces marinara to the mixture or serve extra on the side since the pasta will absorb quite a bit of the moisture.
- Different Meat Options. Ham, mini pepperoni, cooked and crumbled bacon, and chopped cooked chicken are also yummy meat options. For a healthier version, consider using ground turkey or chicken, ground turkey sausage, and turkey pepperoni.
- Cheesy Surprise. For even more cheesiness, add some ricotta or cottage cheese dollops in the pizza bake.
- Use Different Types of Pasta for Dietary Needs. Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version. Whole wheat pasta is another great option.
- Sauce. Substitute marinara sauce or pizza sauce with Alfredo sauce for a creamy twist.
- Cheese. Experiment with different cheese blends like provolone or cheddar for varied flavors. Fresh mozzarella slices can be used instead of shredded as well.
- Add Extra Flavor. Feel free to customize the flavors to your liking. You could add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or minced garlic cloves. Garnishing with fresh basil and/or parmesan cheese also adds excellent flavors!
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