Craving pizza but too lazy to deal with dough? My Easy Pizza Bake Casserole is your ticket to all that cheesy, saucy goodness without the hassle. It’s so tasty you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with takeout.
One hectic weeknight, I needed a quick fix—my mom’s old family dinner hack. So I threw this together, and now it’s my go-to comfort meal. Not just any Pizza Bake Casserole. This oven bake comes together fast and cooks in about 25-35 minutes, perfect when you’re starving and short on energy.
That night, I was toast. Work ran late, the fridge was a mess, and the kids were whining for food. But then I remembered mom’s pizza trick from our broke college days.
So I grabbed some pasta, desperate for a win. Next, the smell hit. Cheesy. Meaty. Pure love. My hubby shuffled in, sniffing, and the kids stopped fighting long enough to demand a plate. That’s when I knew I’d crushed it. You’ll feel that relief too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
So this Easy Pizza Bake Casserole grabs you right off the bat. Here’s why it’s a total slam dunk:
- Pizza vibes: All the flavors you crave in one bite.
- Super easy: No dough drama. Love that.
- Crowd pleaser: Everyone dives in, no leftovers.
- Cheesy top: Melts into every forkful.
- Quick fix: Dinner’s done fast, trust me.
Best Easy Pizza Bake Casserole Recipe You Need
Now what makes this Easy Pizza Bake Casserole the best? It’s my spin on mom’s lazy night classic, but loaded with extras. That chaotic evening, I was over burnt frozen pizzas and sad sandwiches. So I took her Pizza Casserole idea and piled on pepperoni, sausage, and more cheese.
This version’s rich, fun, and beats any delivery hands down. You’ll see why it’s my Pizza Pasta Recipe champ.
I’ve tried other dinners. Boxed mac? Boring. Takeout? Cold half the time. But this casserole? It’s gold. My brother nabbed the recipe after one bite. You’ll want it on speed dial too.
Ingredients For Easy Pizza Bake Casserole
Here’s what you need for this Pizza Bake Casserole. Simple stuff. Let’s dig in.
Pasta & Sauce
- 4 cups penne pasta: Hearty base. Cook it up.
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara pasta sauce: Saucy goodness. Homemade works too.
Meat & Protein
- 1 lb lean ground beef: Meaty kick. Keep it lean.
- ½ lb pork sausage: Bold flavor. Jimmy Dean’s is great.
- 4 oz sliced pepperoni: Pizza star. Slice it thin.
- 1 small can sliced black olives: Salty pop. Drain ‘em.
- 1 can sliced mushrooms (optional): Earthy bite. Skip if you want.
Vegetables & Aromatics
- ½ green bell pepper, chopped: Fresh crunch. Chop small.
- 1 small onion, chopped: Sweet zing. Dice it fine.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Big flavor. Mince it good.
Cheese & Toppings
- 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: Melty magic. Go big if you dare.
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Sharp finish. Grate it fresh.
- 1 tsp dried oregano: Herby touch. Sprinkle it in.
Got it all? You’re set for Pasta Casserole Recipes. Let’s roll.
How to Make Easy Pizza Bake Casserole (Step-by-Step)
So let’s whip up this Quick Pizza Bake Casserole recipe. It’s a snap. Here’s how we go.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
First, boil 4 cups penne pasta per the package. Then drain it good. I undercooked it once, and it turned mushy later. So get it al dente and set it aside. Ready for the meat?
Pasta’s the base. Sets up your Easy Pasta Dinner right.
Pro Tip: Salt the water. Then it’s got flavor.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Next, heat a big skillet on medium. Toss in 1 lb ground beef and ½ lb pork sausage. Brown ‘em up. I forgot to drain the grease once, and it was oily. So sop it up with a paper towel after. Time to mix?
Meat’s the heart. Makes it Pizza Dinner bold.
Pro Tip: Break it small. Then it cooks even.
Step 3: Mix It All Up
Then, grab a big bowl. Dump in the cooked meat, 4 oz pepperoni, ½ green bell pepper, 1 small onion, 2 cloves garlic, ½ cup Parmesan, 1 tsp oregano, olives, and mushrooms if using. Add the pasta and 24-ounce jar marinara sauce. I skipped stirring once, and it was clumpy. So toss it well. Ready to bake?
Mixing’s fun. Ties it into Baked Pasta Recipes yum.
Pro Tip: Stir gentle. Then pasta stays whole.
Step 4: Assemble and Top
Now, pour that mix into a greased 9×13-inch pan. Spread it even. I piled it sloppy once, and it baked weird. So smooth it out nice. Then sprinkle 1-2 cups mozzarella on top. More if you’re cheesy like me. Can you wait?
Assembling’s key. Makes it Pizza Flavors perfect.
Pro Tip: Edge to edge cheese. Then every bite’s melty.
Step 5: Bake It
Then, slide it into the oven at 350°F for 25-35 minutes. I pulled it too soon once, and it was cold in the middle. Gross. So check at 25 minutes. If the cheese is bubbling, it’s done. Hungry yet?
Baking’s the magic. Turns it into Bubble Up Pizza bliss.
Pro Tip: Peek early. Then adjust if needed.
Tips for Success
So you want this easy Pizza Bake Casserole to shine? Here’s what I’ve learned from my kitchen wins and flops:
- Cook pasta just right. Overdid it once, and it was mush. Al dente saves it.
- Drain that grease. Skipped it once, and it swam in oil. Now I soak it up.
- Mix everything good. Half-tossed it for a party, and it was patchy. Stir well.
- Bake long enough. Pulled it at 20 minutes once, and it was raw. Go 25 at least.
- Load the cheese. Skimped once, and it was sad. More is love.
I’ve botched this plenty. These keep it killer.
What to Serve With Pizza Bake Casserole
Then, this Pizza Casserole pairs up awesome. Here’s what I love, with some real talk:
- Garlic Bread: Crusty and buttery. Love that dunk. Burnt it once, total fail.
- Salad: Fresh greens, light dressing. Overdid the ranch once, too heavy. Keep it simple.
- Wings: Spicy or mild. Kids hogged ‘em last time. Perfect match.
- Coleslaw: Cool and crunchy. Too much mayo once, drowned it. Light’s better.
- Soda: Cold and fizzy. Spilled it everywhere once. Still worth it.
What’s your pick? Anyway, it’s better with a sidekick.
Nutrition Information & Calories
Next, here’s the rundown on this Bake Pizza Casserole recipe (per serving, about 8):
- Calories: Around 400-450. Depends on your scoop. I went big once, oops.
- Fat: About 20g. Cheese and meat pile on. Tried less, lost the soul.
- Carbs: Around 35g. Pasta adds heft. Skipped carbs once, not the same.
- Protein: About 25g. Beef and sausage deliver. Keeps me full.
- Sugar: Around 5g. Sauce’s natural stuff. No biggie.
It’s a rich Pasta Bake Chicken splurge. For instance, I save it for fun nights.
Variations & Substitutes
Then, tweak this Quick Pizza Bake Casserole your way. Here’s what I’ve tried:
- Lighter: Use turkey sausage. Still good. Did it for a diet. Missed the punch a bit.
- Spicy: Add ½ tsp red pepper flakes. Love that heat. Made it for a pal, he flipped.
- Low carb: Swap pasta for zucchini noodles. Bubble Up twist. First try was wet, dried it better.
- Veggie boost: Toss in spinach. Fresh pop. Overdid it once, too soggy. Light now.
- Cheese swap: Use provolone. Melty switch. Ran out of mozz once, still rocked.
Ever tried a spicy Pizza Hotdish? Anyway, these keep it fresh.
Serving & Storage Tips
Leftovers
So got extra bake Pizza Casserole? Stash it in an airtight container in the fridge. Good for 3-4 days. My crew usually demolishes it, but I hid a slice once. Still tasty later.
Reheating Tips
Then, reheat at 325°F for 15-20 minutes. Keeps it saucy. Or zap it for 1-2 minutes in the microwave. Splash some sauce on first. Brings back that Pizza Calzones yum. Skipped sauce once, dry mistake.
What Others Are Saying
Next, here’s what folks say about this Bubble Up Pizza Casserole. Real vibes from my people:
- Zoe: “Saved my dinner rut. Gone fast!” She texted me mid-bite, freaking out.
- Jake: “Ate too much. Worth it!” He called it his new game night fix.
- Mia: “Pizza heaven hit hard. Wow!” She made it for her crew, pure joy.
- Eli: “Best casserole ever. More please!” He cornered me at a party, begging.
What’s your take gonna be? For instance, I bet it’ll top these.
Easy Pizza Bake Casserole FAQs
Can I Use Fresh Sauce?
Yes, totally. Swap 24 ounces homemade for Craving Pizza. Jar’s quick, but fresh rocks. I’ve done it. Just simmer it first.
What If I Don’t Have Mozzarella?
No sweat. Use 1-2 cups provolone or cheddar for Pasta Casserole. cheese melts best, but others work. I swapped once, still killer.
Can I Make It Ahead?
Oh, for sure. Prep it, cover, and fridge it for 24 hours. Bake at 350°F for Lazy Family Dinner. I do it for busy nights. Lifesaver.
Why’s Mine Dry?
Ugh, been there. Not enough sauce. Add a splash more next time for Pizza Roll. Fixed mine that way.
In Conclusion
So this Easy Pizza Bake Casserole is my dinner hero. It’s cheesy, meaty, and full of stuff I can’t resist. Sometimes it’s a bit dry. I’ve skimped on sauce once and paid for it. But that’s why I love it. A Pizza Casserole that’s easy and so darn good. Perfect for any night you need a boost. Try it. Snap a pic. Tell me everything.
Drop a comment, pin it on Pinterest, or share with your pals! I’m dying to hear your thoughts. Don’t hold back!
