Quick Pizza Casserole – If you’re looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s both cozy and fun, this Quick Pizza Casserole is the answer! It’s like combining all the best parts of pizza and pasta into one cheesy, saucy bake. With layers of penne, marinara, mozzarella, and crispy pepperoni on top, this dish delivers major pizza vibes but in the form of a hearty casserole. Perfect for busy nights or when you just want something the whole family will love!
The first time I made this, I was honestly just experimenting—trying to bring a little excitement to our weeknight dinners. My husband is a pizza lover, and my kid? Obsessed with pasta. So, I figured why not give them both? Let me brief you, it was a flash hit! My husband loved the crispy pepperoni layer, and my kid couldn’t get enough of the gooey cheese and saucy pasta. Now it’s one of those meals I can always count on to keep everyone happy!
What makes this Quick Pizza Casserole truly special?
This casserole is the sort of cozy dinner that feels like a warm hug! You get the best of both worlds—gooey cheese, savory sausage, and that crispy pepperoni on top that tastes just like your favorite pizza joint. And it’s ridiculously easy to make, so even when you’re tired, you can pull this together and feel like a dinnertime hero. Plus, it’s completely customizable: add extra toppings, sneak in some veggies, or use your favorite pasta. It’s comfort food, made exactly how you like it!
What You Need To Make This Quick Pizza Casserole Recipe?
Penne Pasta: Penne’s great here because it holds onto the sauce and cheese really well. You get that perfect bite every time, with sauce in every little ridge. You can swap it with any short pasta, but penne really does the trick!
Italian Sausage: This adds a nice depth of flavor and a little bit of spice. If you like things milder, go with sweet Italian sausage. Feeling adventurous? Try the spicy version for a little kick. It’s the “meatiness” that gives this casserole a pizza feel.
Garlic: Just two cloves, but they make all the difference. That little bit of garlic ties everything together and brings warmth to the dish.
Pepperoni: You get double the pepperoni here, chopped up inside and whole slices on top. It’s classic pizza vibes, and that crispy, bubbly pepperoni on top just takes this casserole to the next level.
Mozzarella Cheese: This is your melty magic. You need a solid amount here to get that gooey cheese pull! Mozzarella’s mild flavor is perfect for letting the other ingredients shine.
Marinara Sauce: Go with a marinara you love! It’s the base of the flavor, so whether you like it garlicky, herby, or simple, pick something you’d be happy eating on its own.
Italian Seasoning: This blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme adds that signature pizza flavor. It’s the shortcut to making this taste like it’s straight from a pizzeria.
Parmesan Cheese: Just a sprinkle on top, but it adds that salty, nutty finish that makes every bite feel a little extra special.
Steps To Make Quick Pizza Casserole:
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Give it a quick spray with nonstick, just to be safe.
Cook the pasta: Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil, then add the penne. Cook it for about 2 minutes less than the package says—it’ll keep cooking in the oven, so we don’t want it too soft. Drain and toss it back in the pot.
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Brown the sausage: While the pasta’s cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks until it’s browned and cooked through. Toss in the garlic and cook for just another minute to get that delicious aroma going.
Chop some pepperoni: Set aside half of the pepperoni for topping, and chop up the rest into little pieces. This way, you get pepperoni in every bite!
Mix it all together: Add the sausage, marinara sauce, chopped pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and 1 cup of the mozzarella to the pot with the pasta. Stir it all up until everything’s evenly coated in sauce.
Assemble the casserole: Pour the pasta mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top, then arrange the whole pepperoni slices in rows across the top for that pizza look. Finally, add a sprinkle of Parmesan to finish it off.
Bake: Pop the casserole in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the pepperoni is nice and crispy on top.
Let it rest: Give it about 5 minutes to cool slightly so it holds together when you scoop it out. Then, dig in and enjoy that cheesy, pizza-pasta goodness!
Tip:
For the ultimate Quick Pizza Casserole, use a mix of shredded mozzarella and freshly grated mozzarella. The pre-shredded cheese is super convenient, but adding a little fresh mozzarella gives you that melty, gooey goodness we all love. Also, cook your pasta just shy of al dente—about 2 minutes less than the package says—so it doesn’t get too soft when baked. And don’t skip letting the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving! This keeps it from falling apart as you serve those deliciously cheesy layers. Plus, if you’re feeling creative, you can easily add extra toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, or even a sprinkle of crushed red pepper for some heat!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole, cover it tightly with foil, and store it in the fridge for up to a day before baking. When you’re ready, just bake as directed. If it’s coming straight from the fridge, add an extra 5-10 minutes to the bake time.
Can I add extra toppings?
Yes! This recipe is super flexible. Feel free to throw in your favorite pizza toppings—think bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, or even sliced jalapeños. Just mix them in with the pasta, and they’ll cook up beautifully in the casserole.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
The easiest way is to pop a portion in the microwave, but for the best results, reheat in the oven at 300°F until it’s warmed through. This keeps the cheese from getting rubbery and gives you that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Quick Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage bulk, no casings
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 6-ounce bag pepperoni, divided
- 3 c grated mozzarella cheese divided
- 2 jars 24 ounces each marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a 9x13-inch baking dish—set it aside for later.
- Get a big pot of water, add a good pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it until it’s just about done, about 2 minutes less than what the package says. Drain it well and return it to the pot.
- While the pasta’s cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the sausage until it’s fully cooked. Add the garlic and let it cook for about a minute, just until you can really smell that delicious aroma.
- Set aside half of the pepperoni slices for the topping, and chop up the other half into smaller pieces.
- Now, add the sausage, marinara sauce, chopped pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese to the pasta. Stir until everything’s mixed and well-coated.
- Pour the pasta mixture into your baking dish. Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella on top, then arrange the whole pepperoni slices in rows for a nice, classic look. Finally, sprinkle Parmesan over everything.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pepperoni is crispy. Let it rest for about 5 minutes, then dig in and enjoy!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
