Pizza Casserole Recipe – Cheesy, Baked, & Full of Flavor!

Posted on July 10, 2025

Pizza Recipe

Difficulty

Prep time

Cooking time

Total time

Servings

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🍕 Pizza Casserole Recipe – When Pizza Meets Pasta and Everything Gets Irresistibly Cheesy

Okay, so let me just say this right at the start — this Pizza Casserole is not just food. It’s a mood. A full-blown comfort experience. A warm, bubbling, cheese-drenched hug straight from the oven. And once you make it, your taste buds are never going back to boring dinners again.

This dish is perfect for those days when:

You want pizza but can’t be bothered with dough.
You need something hearty, cheesy, and soul-hugging.
You want to feed a crowd without breaking a sweat.

It’s got pizza vibes, pasta comfort, and casserole convenience — all in one dish. And trust me, it’s the kinda thing that disappears fast at the table.

So grab your apron (or don’t, I usually cook in pajamas), and let’s dive into a dish that’ll instantly become a household favorite.

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🧾 Ingredients – Real, Simple, and Damn Delicious (Serves 6–8 hungry people)

Ingredient	Quantity
Pasta (penne or rotini)	12 oz (340 g)
Olive oil	1 tbsp
Onion (chopped)	1 medium
Garlic (minced)	3 cloves
Ground beef or sausage	1 lb (450 g)
Pizza sauce or marinara	3 cups
Pepperoni slices	1 cup
Bell peppers (chopped)	1 cup
Black olives (sliced)	½ cup
Mozzarella cheese (shredded)	2 cups
Parmesan cheese (grated)	½ cup
Italian seasoning	1 tsp
Red chili flakes (optional)	To taste
Salt & black pepper	To taste
Fresh basil	For garnish

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🔥 Step-by-Step: Easy, No-Fuss, and Full of Flavor

✅ Step 1: Preheat the oven — let’s get this party started

Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease up a big ol’ baking dish (9×13 inch is perfect). Butter or olive oil — your call. I go heavy because crispy edges = life.

✅ Step 2: Boil the pasta — but don’t overdo it

Cook your pasta in salted water till it’s al dente — firm to the bite. Trust me, it’ll cook more in the oven. Mushy pasta? Nobody wants that.

✅ Step 3: Build that flavor base

In a big skillet, add olive oil, then the chopped onions. Let them turn translucent. Toss in the garlic, let that aroma hit you — yes, THAT smell. Add the ground beef or sausage and break it up while it cooks. Once browned, season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes if you like a little heat.

This is where the kitchen starts smelling like magic. Neighbors might show up. Be warned.

✅ Step 4: Sauce it up

Pour in that beautiful pizza sauce. Let everything simmer for 5–7 minutes till it thickens a bit. Now, stir in the boiled pasta and half of the mozzarella. Mix until every bite is loaded with saucy, cheesy, meaty goodness.

✅ Step 5: Layer like a boss

Pour half the pasta mix into your greased baking dish. Add a layer of pepperoni, bell peppers, olives — whatever toppings you love. Repeat with the rest of the pasta and toppings. Then cover it all with mozzarella and parmesan.

More cheese = more happiness. That’s a fact.

✅ Step 6: Bake till bubbly and golden

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then take off the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes till the top is golden and the cheese is beautifully bubbly.

Let it rest for 5 minutes. I know, it’s torture. But worth it.

✅ Step 7: Garnish and serve hot

Throw on some fresh basil leaves, maybe a little drizzle of olive oil, and dig in while it’s hot. Every bite? Gooey, crispy, saucy, absolutely addictive.

💡 Real-Life Tips from My Kitchen

No meat? No problem. Use mushrooms, roasted zucchini, spinach, or veggie crumbles. Still totally comforting and flavor-packed.
Make it ahead: Assemble in the morning, bake it later. It actually tastes better when it sits a bit.
Freeze it: Make a double batch. One for now, one for later. Thank me on a lazy Wednesday.
Cheese game: Mix mozzarella with provolone or smoked gouda for that ooey-gooey stretch and depth.
Crispy top tip: Sprinkle some breadcrumbs + parmesan over the top before baking for a crunchy, cheesy crust.

❓ FAQs – Because You Know You’re Wondering

Can I use gluten-free pasta?

Yes, absolutely. Just be gentle while boiling — it tends to get softer.

How long can I store leftovers?

Up to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat in the oven or microwave. Still tastes bomb.

Can I skip the pepperoni?

Of course! Add more veggies or go full cheese-fest. You’re the boss of your own casserole.

What can I serve with this?

Garlic bread, Caesar salad, maybe a glass of red wine. Or honestly, nothing — it’s a full meal in itself.

Can I use pizza dough instead of pasta?

Nope. That’s a whole different beast. This is about pasta meeting pizza in a casserole-style hug.

❤️ Final Thoughts: This Dish = Instant Happy Vibes

There are some dishes that just get you. They don’t judge your messy kitchen. They don’t demand fancy ingredients. They just deliver pure comfort, bite after bite.

This Pizza Casserole is THAT dish.
It’s cheesy. It’s hearty. It’s a full-on flavor bomb.

Make it once and I swear it’ll become part of your regular dinner rotation. Make it twice and your friends will be asking for the recipe. Make it three times and it’ll feel like a tradition.

So go ahead — layer it, bake it, devour it. Then tag me when you post that glorious cheese pull on Instagram. I LIVE for those moments. 🍕🔥🧀