🍽️ Irresistible Pizza Bake Recipe: Every Bite a Cheesy, Italian Masterpiece
Imagine a deeply savory casserole full of ooey‑gooey mozzarella, tangy tomato sauce, tender pasta, and savory Italian meats all layered, baked, and served piping hot. That’s a true pizza bake recipe — your shortcut to all the flavors of a classic pizza in easy, satisfying casserole form. After years of tweaking ratios and testing cheese blends, I’ve landed on a version that never fails: comfort in every forkful, no slicing or topping finesse needed.
This pizza bake recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or whenever you crave pizza without the fuss of rolling dough. Let’s dive into the cheese pull!
🍕 Ingredients & Measurements for a 9×13” Pizza Bake (Serves 6–8)
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Dried pasta (penne or rigatoni) | 12 oz (340 g) |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp |
| Italian sausage (crumbled) | 8 oz (225 g) |
| Onion (small, diced) | 1 |
| Garlic cloves (minced) | 2 |
| Tomato sauce (low-sugar marinara) | 3 cups (720 ml) |
| Italian seasoning (dried) | 1 tsp |
| Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) | ¼ tsp |
| Shredded mozzarella cheese | 2 cups (200 g) |
| Shredded provolone or fontina | 1 cup (100 g) |
| Grated Parmesan cheese | ½ cup (50 g) |
| Fresh basil (chopped) | Handful, for garnish |
| Salt and freshly ground pepper | To taste |
🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat and prep
Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Grease a 9×13” baking dish with olive oil.
2. Cook the pasta al dente
Boil salted water and cook pasta for about 1–2 minutes less than package instructions (al dente). Drain and set aside.
3. Brown the sausage and aromatics
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium. Cook crumbled sausage until golden and crisp around edges. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent. Stir in garlic for a minute more, until fragrant.
4. Simmer the sauce
Pour in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well, bring to a bubble, and simmer 3–5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Combine pasta and sauce
Add cooked pasta to the sauce, stir to coat evenly. Remove from heat.
6. Layer the cheese magic
Transfer half the pasta mixture to your baking dish. Sprinkle half the mozzarella and provolone. Layer remaining pasta, then top with the rest of the cheeses and Parmesan.
7. Bake to bubbly perfection
Bake uncovered for about 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling. For extra color, broil for 1–2 minutes—watch it closely.
8. Garnish and serve!
Remove from oven, let rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle chopped basil. Serve hot with crusty bread or a crisp salad.
💡 Tips & Tricks for a Perfect Pizza Bake
- Use al dente pasta. Overcooking makes the bake mushy—keep it firm.
- Brown the sausage well. Crisp edges = deeper flavor.
- Low-moisture cheese only. Prevents excess liquid. Avoid watery mozzarella.
- Don’t overlayer sauce. Too much sauce weights it down.
- Let it rest. Five minutes helps the bake set and improves the slice.
- Customize boldly. Add sliced mushrooms, olives, roasted peppers, or pepperoni if you like.
❓ FAQ – Everything You’re Wondering About This Pizza Bake
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes—skip the sausage and sauté vegetables like spinach, zucchini, peppers. Add mushrooms or crumbled plant-based sausage.
Is this freezer-friendly?
Totally. Bake initially for 10 minutes, cool completely, then cover and freeze. Reheat covered for ~30 minutes at 350 °F.
Can I use fresh mozzarella?
Try it, but drain well and pat dry. Too much moisture can make it runny.
What if I don’t have tomato sauce?
Use crushed tomatoes seasoned with garlic, oregano, salt, and a pinch of sugar. Simmer briefly before using.
Is it possible to bake in stages?
Yes. Assemble ahead, refrigerate uncovered, then bake when ready. Great for parties or meal prep.
❤️ Final Thoughts – Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This pizza bake recipe is the perfect compromise between the ease of baked pasta and the flavor of pizza. It’s bold, cheesy, and deeply satisfying. Every forkful delivers tomato brightness, melty cheese, hearty protein, and that warmly baked crust feeling.
Whether you’re feeding a family, hosting friends, or just want pizza without the pie work, this dish delivers. It’s flexible, forgiving, and brimming with flavor. And because you’re a real home chef—this feels like your kitchen triumph, every time.
Crackle, bubble, slice: let’s bake up some Italian magic together.
See Also: Ooni Pizza Recipe – Authentic High-Heat Wood-Fired Flavor at Home
