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Ultimate Easy Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake, Freezer Friendly & Perfect for Weeknights

A thick slice of baked pasta covered in rich tomato sauce and melted, bubbly cheese, representing a delicious pizza pasta bake.
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Prepare this simple, cheesy pizza pasta bake combining your favorite pizza flavors with tender pasta in one dish. It is quick enough for a weeknight and freezes well for later.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage or ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces jar 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
  • 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 pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and chopped onion. Cook until the meat is browned and the onion is soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour in the water or broth. Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked pasta, sliced pepperoni, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Mix everything well to coat.
  7. Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
  9. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a make-ahead option, assemble the entire dish (steps 1 through 5), cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
  • To freeze, assemble the dish completely (do not bake). Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, or bake from frozen by covering with foil and adding 20 minutes to the bake time.
  • You can substitute the pepperoni with cooked ground mushrooms or diced bell peppers for a different topping mix.

Nutrition

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