Easy Pizza Pasta Bake Recipe

This Easy Pizza Pasta Bake combines the flavors of a classic pizza with the comforting heartiness of a pasta bake. It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that’s simple to make, customizable, and perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings. With layers of pasta, gooey cheese, pizza sauce, and all your favorite toppings, it’s the best of both worlds.

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare the Pasta:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and toss the pasta with olive oil to prevent it from sticking together.

2. Layer the Pasta Bake:

• In a large baking dish (9×13 inches), spread a thin layer of pizza sauce across the bottom.
• Add half of the cooked pasta into the baking dish, followed by half of the pizza sauce, and spread it evenly.
• Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce. Add a portion of your chosen pizza toppings, such as pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, sausage, or any other preferred toppings.
• Add the remaining pasta on top, followed by the rest of the pizza sauce.
• Sprinkle the Italian seasoning and garlic powder evenly over the pasta.
• Top everything with the remaining mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and additional toppings like pepperoni, olives, and bell peppers.
• Optionally, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the top for added flavor.

3. Bake the Pasta:

• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown.

4. Garnish and Serve:

• Once baked, remove the pizza pasta bake from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
• Garnish with chopped fresh basil (optional), slice it up, and serve warm!

Tips for Success:

1. Cook the Pasta Al Dente:
   • Since the pasta will continue to bake in the oven, it’s best to cook it just until al dente to avoid it becoming too soft or mushy in the final dish.
2. Customize Your Toppings:
   • Just like a pizza, you can customize this dish with your favorite toppings. Try adding mushrooms, spinach, onions, or even pineapple for a sweet touch.
3. Make It Meatless:
   • For a vegetarian option, skip the meat and load up on veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach.
4. Make Ahead:
   • This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking. When you’re ready to bake, simply pop it in the oven and add an extra 10 minutes to the covered baking time.

Variations:

• Meat Lovers Pizza Pasta Bake: Load up the dish with cooked sausage, pepperoni, bacon bits, and ground beef for a meaty version.
• Veggie Pizza Pasta Bake: Add an assortment of veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, onions, and zucchini for a delicious vegetarian meal.
• Extra Cheesy Pizza Bake: If you’re a cheese lover, double the amount of mozzarella, and add a layer of ricotta or cottage cheese in between the pasta layers for an even creamier texture.
• Margherita Pizza Pasta Bake: Go with a more classic pizza flavor by using fresh mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil over the top for a Margherita-inspired bake.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 420
• Fat: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Protein: 18g
• Sugar: 5g
• Fiber: 2g

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use a different type of pasta?

• Yes, you can use any short pasta such as penne, rotini, or rigatoni. Avoid long pasta like spaghetti, as it won’t layer as well.

2. What’s the best way to store leftovers?

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

3. Can I freeze Pizza Pasta Bake?

• Yes, this dish freezes well! Prepare the dish, but don’t bake it. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, bake from frozen and add about 20-25 minutes to the baking time.

4. Can I use a different sauce?

• Absolutely! You can swap the pizza sauce for marinara sauce or even a creamy Alfredo sauce for a different flavor profile.

Conclusion:

This Easy Pizza Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food, combining the flavors of pizza with the filling satisfaction of pasta. It’s a versatile dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd, and you can customize it with your favorite pizza toppings. Whether you’re making it for a busy weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, this dish will quickly become a family favorite.

Yield: 6

Easy Pizza Pasta Bake Recipe

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This Easy Pizza Pasta Bake combines the flavors of a classic pizza with the comforting heartiness of a pasta bake. It's a crowd-pleasing dish that’s simple to make, customizable, and perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings. With layers of pasta, gooey cheese, pizza sauce, and all your favorite toppings, it’s the best of both worlds.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage (or ground beef)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 24 oz pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (plus extra for topping)
• 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced (optional)
• 1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
   
2. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
   In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage (or ground beef) until browned, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
   Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet, cooking for about 2-3 minutes until softened.
   Stir in the pizza sauce, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
   
3. Assemble the Casserole:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the meat sauce, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, half of the pepperoni slices, bell peppers (if using), and black olives (if using).
   Stir until everything is evenly combined.
   Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
   
4. Add the Toppings:
   Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.
   Arrange the remaining pepperoni slices on top, along with any additional toppings like olives, peppers, or extra cheese.
   
5. Bake the Pizza Pasta:
   Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are golden.
   
6. Serve:
   Let the pizza pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

Customization: Feel free to add your favorite pizza toppings to this bake, such as mushrooms, sausage, green peppers, or jalapeños.

Make Ahead: You can assemble this casserole in advance and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it's coming from the fridge.

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

Freezing: This dish freezes well! Simply cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.