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Easy Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

A cheesy, gooey slice of pizza pasta being lifted from a baking dish, showing long cheese pulls.
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Make this simple, cheesy pizza pasta casserole for a satisfying family dinner. This recipe combines classic pizza flavors with tender pasta, baked until bubbly.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound uncooked penne pasta
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 10 ounces sliced pepperoni, roughly chopped
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Grated parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until slightly underdone. Drain well.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, half of the chopped pepperoni, and dried oregano. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
  4. Spread the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  5. Top the pasta evenly with 3 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Scatter the remaining chopped pepperoni over the cheese layer.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the sauce is hot and bubbly.
  7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  8. Let the pizza pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve hot with grated parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

  • You can substitute the penne with rotini or another short pasta shape you prefer.
  • For extra flavor, mix 1/2 pound of cooked Italian sausage or ground beef into the pasta mixture before baking.
  • This recipe works well for meal prep; assemble the casserole completely, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5-10 minutes to the initial bake time if baking directly from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/easy-cheesy-pizza-pasta-bake-recipe/