Pizza Pasta Recipe

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This Pizza Pasta recipe brings together all your favorite pizza toppings in a hearty pasta dish that’s easy to make and impossible to resist!

Prep Time10

Cook Time35

Total Time45

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: beef, pasta, pork

Servings: servings

Calories: 581kcal

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!

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 u

Nutrition

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