Description
This casserole layers seasoned ground beef, Italian sausage, and pepperoni with pasta and a rich tomato sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s an easy and satisfying meal that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Meat Sauce:- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup chopped pepperoni
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or tomato basil pasta sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- For the Casserole:
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Additional pepperoni slices for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil.
- Add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon as it cooks.
- Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Add the chopped pepperoni, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
- Assemble Casserole:
- In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked pasta and meat sauce. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta mixture.
- If desired, arrange additional pepperoni slices on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- For a golden-brown top, you can broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Serve:
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
Feel free to add your favorite pizza toppings, such as sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives, to the meat sauce for extra flavor and texture.- For a spicier kick, consider adding red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.