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Ultimate Easy Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake Casserole

A close-up, appetizing serving of pizza pasta bake with gooey, melted cheese stretching over rotini pasta and pepperoni slices.
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Create this ultimate easy cheesy pizza pasta bake casserole for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This recipe combines familiar pizza flavors with hearty pasta, delivering comfort food that pleases the whole family with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 ounces rotini pasta
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (pizza sauce)
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 7 ounces pepperoni, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup water (if needed for sauce consistency)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. If the sauce seems too thick, add up to 1/2 cup of water.
  4. Stir in 3 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese and the chopped pepperoni into the pasta mixture. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
  6. Top the pasta evenly with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle a little extra chopped pepperoni on top if you like.
  7. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  8. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef or Italian sausage, cooked and drained, for some or all of the pepperoni for a heartier meal.
  • This casserole freezes well. Assemble the entire dish, cover tightly with foil, and freeze before baking. When ready to cook, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
  • Use your favorite type of pasta, such as penne or ziti, if rotini is unavailable.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyjade.com/pizza-pasta-bake/