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Easy Pizza Pasta Bake: Quick Weeknight Comfort Food

A fork lifting a bite of cheesy pizza pasta bake, showing long, dramatic cheese pulls.
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Make this Easy Pizza Pasta Bake for a quick family dinner. This cheesy pasta casserole combines classic pizza flavors with simple ingredients, making it a guaranteed kid-friendly dinner solution ready fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup water or chicken broth
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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 and set it aside.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage or ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off excess grease.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and water or broth. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked pasta, pepperoni, cream cheese cubes, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese until the cream cheese is melted and everything is combined.
  7. Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
  8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  9. Let the pizza pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a make ahead pasta meal, assemble the casserole completely, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
  • You can freeze this dish unbaked. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
  • If you prefer a creamier pizza pasta, substitute half of the marinara sauce with Alfredo sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/pizza-pasta-bake-easy-quick-recipe/