Pizza Pasta
Try our Easy Pizza Pasta Bake recipe, combining all your favorite pizza toppings with pasta. Perfect for family dinners or weeknight meals, ready in under an hour.
Tips for a Great Pizza Pasta Bake
Tips
Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to get creative! Add your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, olives, or even ground beef.
Crispy Pepperoni: For those who like their pepperoni crispy, place some slices on top of the cheese layer before baking. It adds a wonderful texture.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Make-Ahead:
Prepare in Advance: You can prepare the pizza pasta bake up to the point of baking, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the fridge and bake as directed, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through.
Freezing: To freeze, assemble the dish in a freezer-safe container but do not bake it. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Storage after Baking:
Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or the whole dish in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Freezing Leftovers: If you have leftovers that you want to freeze, place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
More Pasta Recipes to Try
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta, or rotini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage, mild or spicy
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, any color, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounce jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup pepperoni slices, halved
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F, and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.12 ounces penne pasta
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Remove the sausage and set aside.1 tablespoon olive oil1 pound ground Italian sausage
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.1 small onion1 bell pepper3 cloves garlic
- Add the marinara sauce, cooked sausage, 1 cup of mozzarella, pepperoni slices, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir to combine and simmer for 5 minutes.24 ounce jar marinara sauce1 cup pepperoni slices1 teaspoon dried oregano1 teaspoon dried basil½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine with the sauce. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired and serve warm.
Suggested Equipment
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1.5-2 cups of pasta. Actual calories will vary.
- Recipe makes about 10-12 cups.