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Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole
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This Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole brings all the flavors of your favorite pizza into an easy, hearty bake. Packed with savory meats, rich sauce, gooey cheese, and tender pasta, it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s incredibly simple to make!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Ground Beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 pound Italian Sausage (casings removed)
  • 1/2 cup Chopped Onion
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 jar (24 ounces) Pizza Sauce or Marinara Sauce
  • 16 ounces Pasta (Rotini, Penne, or Ziti), cooked al dente
  • 4 ounces Pepperoni Slices, chopped (plus extra for topping)
  • 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Optional: 1/2 cup Chopped Bell Pepper
  • Optional: Red Pepper Flakes, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, brown ground beef and sausage over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat.
  4. Add onion (and bell pepper if using) to the meat and cook until softened.
  5. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook 1 minute more.
  6. Pour in pizza sauce and simmer 5-10 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, meat sauce, and chopped pepperoni. Mix well.
  8. Layer half the pasta mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
  9. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, cheeses, and arrange extra pepperoni on top if desired.
  10. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  11. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  12. Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or basil if desired.

Notes

For extra richness, stir softened cream cheese into the meat sauce. Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt. Customize with your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms or olives!

Nutrition

Keywords: meat lovers pizza casserole, easy pasta bake, hearty family dinner, pizza pasta casserole, comfort food recipes

Find it online: https://kierasrecipes.com/meat-lovers-pizza-casserole/