Baked Pizza Pasta
This baked pizza pasta is a cheesy, family-friendly casserole combining the comforting flavors of pasta and pizza in one dish. With hearty ground beef, pepperoni, and a perfectly melted cheese topping, it's an easy and crowd-pleasing meal that works perfectly as a weeknight dinner or a pizza pasta casserole for gatherings.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini pasta (or any short pasta shape like penne or fusilli)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 28 ounce jar spaghetti sauce (choose your favorite brand or variety)
- 4 ounces sliced pepperoni sausage
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
- In a large mixing bowl (or directly in your baking dish), mix the cooked pasta, beef and onion mixture, spaghetti sauce, and sliced pepperoni.
- Pour the pasta and sauce mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread it evenly, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and golden around the edges.