Pizza Casserole
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
35 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
470 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Pizza Casserole
Description
This Pizza Casserole begins by browning Italian sausage with diced onion, green bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms in olive oil. Mini pepperoni, black olives, and minced garlic are added and cooked briefly before stirring in marinara sauce, water, salt, pepper, and short pasta. The mixture simmers until the pasta is tender, allowing the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Transfer into a baking dish coated with cooking spray, then topped with shredded mozzarella and the remaining pepperoni slices. Baking melts the cheese and warms the casserole thoroughly, while the pepperoni on top crisp slightly. The result is a layered, hearty dish that echoes the toppings and flavors of pizza served in a pasta casserole form.
The combination of Italian sausage and three types of vegetables provides a textured filling with varied savory notes. The use of short pasta like rotini or penne allows the sauce to cling well for each bite. This casserole serves as a complete meal and comforting option for family dinners. The recipe is flexible with pasta and pepperoni types according to availability.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage casings removed, mild
- 1/2 cup onion finely diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper diced
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 3/4 cup mini pepperoni divided use
- 1/2 cup black olives sliced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 24 ounce jar marinara sauce
- 3 1/4 cups water
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 12 ounces short pasta such as corkscrew, rotini or penne
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until browned.
- Add the onion, green bell pepper and mushrooms to the pot. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Add 1/2 cup of the pepperoni, olives and the garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the marinara sauce, water, salt, pepper and pasta to the pot and bring to a simmer.
- Cover the pot and cook over low heat for 12-14 minutes or until pasta is tender.
- While the pasta is simmering, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Coat a 3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- After the pasta is finished cooking, pour the mixture into the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the top and arrange the remaining 1/4 cup of pepperoni on the cheese.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Notes
- If mini pepperoni are unavailable, chop regular pepperoni into small pieces as a substitute.
- Any short pasta like rotini, penne, rigatoni, or farfalle can be used effectively in this casserole.
- Use a large pot for simmering the pasta mixture, as the pasta will expand significantly during cooking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 470 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 470kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 50g | 17% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 94mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 780mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 773mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 680IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 10.5mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 191mg | 19% |
| Iron | 3.1mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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