Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

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You need a cozy pepperoni pizza casserole that serves a crowd because it offers all pizza flavors in an easy-to-serve format. This baked casserole made with egg noodles, ground beef, melted mozzarella cheese, and abundant pepperoni is a weeknight winner that the whole family will enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

All your pizza favorites are baked into one hearty comfort dish.
All ages love the saucy and cheesy goodness that makes this dish perfect for families.
You can add any pizza topping of your choice, including mushrooms, olives, or extra cheese, to this dish.

Ingredients

16 ounces of penne pasta, or use cavatappi pasta/ rigatoni pasta
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 cup sliced pepperoni
16 ounces of pizza sauce
4 tablespoons milk
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Cook the noodles:

Follow the instructions on the pasta package for preparation. Drain and set aside.

2. Brown the beef:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

The skillet requires medium-high heat to cook ground beef with onion, garlic, and green bell pepper until the beef browns and the vegetables become tender. Drain excess fat.

3. Combine & assemble:

Mix the cooked pasta with pepperoni, pizza sauce, and milk until the ingredients are fully coated.

4. Bake:

Place the mixture into a greased 2-quart casserole dish.

Place the dish in the oven heat without a cover for 20 minutes.

5. Add cheese & finish:

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top.

The dish needs 5–10 minutes of additional oven time to achieve melted and bubbly cheese.

6. Serve:

The dish needs a short cooling period before serving with scoops.

Tips & Tricks

Extra cheesy? You can enhance the dish with additional mozzarella or parmesan cheese before finishing the baking process.

Spice it up: Try a handful of red pepper flakes or swap in spicy pepperoni.

Veggie boost: Toss in sliced mushrooms, black olives, or spinach for extra nutrition.

FAQ

Can I make this ahead?

Absolutely! The preparation includes everything except cheese, which can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 day. Place cheese on top before you start baking.

Can I freeze it?

Yes! Cover the dish and place it in the freezer before baking. The casserole needs to thaw overnight in the fridge before you can bake it according to the instructions.