Supreme Pizza Casserole
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
20 mins
-
Cook Time
40 mins
-
Total Time
1 hr
-
Servings
8 servings
-
Calories
441 kcal
-
Course
Main Course, Dinner
-
Cuisine
American
Supreme Pizza Casserole
Description
This casserole begins by cooking penne pasta until al dente. Italian sausage is browned with onion and garlic, then combined with your chosen pizza toppings—vegetables or meats—before simmering with diced tomatoes, pizza sauce, marinara, and Italian herbs like oregano and Italian seasoning. This simmered sauce mixture melds the savory and herbal components associated with pizza flavors.
The cooked pasta is mixed with half the pepperoni and the sauce, then placed into a baking pan. It’s topped with a blend of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, the remaining pepperoni slices, and grated Parmesan. Baking at a high oven temperature melts and browns the cheese for a bubbly, golden crust.
This dish makes a comforting, filling meal combining pasta and pizza elements and serves well for family dinners or casual gatherings. The layered texture offers tender pasta, a savory sauce with chunky toppings, and the crisp, cheesy finish typical of baked casseroles.
Adjust toppings by cooking vegetables that require softening with the meat or adding less cooked toppings directly to the sauce. Substitutions between pizza and pasta sauce are possible with seasoning adjustments. Additional pepperoni on top adds a crispy texture after baking.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta or medium pasta
- ½ pound Italian sausage or lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups Pizza toppings see notes
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes drained, canned
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 14 ounces pizza sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce or pasta sauce
- 3 cups cheddar cheese shredded, blend
- 1 cup pepperoni divided, sliced
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- In a large pot, cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain thoroughly.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown the Italian sausage with onion and minced garlic over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat.
- Add your choice of pizza toppings (see notes) and cook for 3-4 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Add drained tomatoes, oregano, Italian seasoning, pizza sauce, and marinara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and half of the pepperoni slices. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 pan.
- Top with the mozzarella cheddar blend, the remaining pepperoni and parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 18 to 22 minutes or until the cheese is browned.
Notes
- If pizza sauce is unavailable, increase pasta sauce with a pinch of sugar and extra seasoning to approximate flavor.
- Add vegetables that need cooking, such as mushrooms or green peppers, during the sausage browning step for tenderness.
- Include uncooked toppings like ham, olives, or artichokes in the sauce mixture to warm through without softening excessively.
- Sprinkle additional pepperoni slices on top with cheese to achieve a crispier finish when baked.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 441 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 441 | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 66mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 1232mg | 51% |
| Potassium | 744mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 862IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 305mg | 31% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
