Transform your favorite loaded pizza into a delicious Pizza Casserole that’s baked in a 9×13 pan. This crowd pleaser includes tender penne pasta, browned meat, pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, and cheese smothered in marinara sauce. Looking for more kid-friendly recipes? Don’t miss this Chicken Noodle Casserole, Cajun Chicken Pasta, and French Dip Sandwich,
Whenever I give input to my husband or kids for dinner ideas for the week, this Pizza casserole recipe tops the list. This recipe comes from my Mother-in-law, and it was a favorite in her household when my husband was growing up.
To make ahead: Assemble the pizza casserole up until baking and store covered in the refrigerator for several hours. Remove from oven and bake as directed.
To freeze: Assemble casserole up until baking, adding it to a freezer safe casserole dish. Cover well with plastic wrap and tinfoil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed. (Optional: I like to add extra sauce when serving as the noodles will soak up some of the sauce as it freezes).
Ingredients
1 lb. ground meat
1 16 oz. box bow tie pasta
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 ounces sliced pepperoni
1 (26 ounce) jar pasta sauce
1 10 oz. can diced Italian style tomatoes
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Italian cheese blend
Any other pizza toppings, you can add like black olives, sausage, onions, green peppers, etc…
Directions:
Boil water and salt for pasta. Once it starts boiling, add pasta. Brown meat in a separate frying pan. When pasta is cooked, drain.
In a lightly greased 9×13×3 inch pan, pour a small amount of sauce to lightly coat bottom. Add a layer of pasta and add 1/2 of sauce, can of tomatoes, garlic powder, and oregano.
On top of pasta, layer the ground meat, then add a layer of pepperonis. Sprinkle parmesan cheese, and Italian cheese. And layer more pepperoni. Top with bacon bits and anything else you like just like a pizza!
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes
