Pantry-Friendly Easy Pizza Pasta Bake
This easy Pizza Pasta Bake combines everything you love about pizza and baked pasta into one comforting family meal. Tender pasta, savory ground beef, colorful vegetables, rich marinara sauce, and plenty of melted cheese are baked together until hot, bubbly, and perfectly golden.
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 604kcal
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Pasta use a sturdy pasta like rotini or penne
- 48 Ounces Marinara Sauce I used Ragu
- 1 Medium Bell Pepper chopped
- 1 Small Onion chopped
- 8 Ounces Mushrooms chopped
- 8 Ounces Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 8 Ounces Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 1 Pound Ground Beef or Italian sausage or chopped pepperoni
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain well.16 Ounces Pasta
- While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease and season with salt and pepper.1 Pound Ground Beef, Salt to taste, Pepper to taste
- Prepare the vegetables. Today I used bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.1 Medium Bell Pepper, 1 Small Onion, 8 Ounces Mushrooms
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread half of the cooked pasta into the baking dish. Top with half of the marinara sauce, half of the cooked beef, half of the chopped vegetables, and half of each cheese.48 Ounces Marinara Sauce, 8 Ounces Parmesan Cheese, 8 Ounces Mozzarella Cheese
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tips for Success
- Slightly undercook the pasta so it doesn't become too soft while baking.
- Drain the beef well to prevent a greasy casserole.
- Chop the vegetables into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Let the casserole rest a few minutes before serving to help it slice neatly.
Ingredient Notes
Pasta Choose a sturdy pasta that holds onto the sauce. Rotini, penne, rigatoni, or ziti all work beautifully. Meat Ground beef creates a classic casserole, but Italian sausage adds extra flavor. You can also use diced pepperoni or combine meats for a pizza-inspired twist. Cheese Freshly shredded mozzarella melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, while Parmesan adds rich, savory flavor.Nutrition
Calories: 604kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 1502mg | Potassium: 978mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1595IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 582mg | Iron: 4mg