Pizza casserole is a mashup of two comfort classics. It has almost all the components of pizza, from the tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese to the layer of pepperonis on top. But it skips the pizza dough, so there’s no need to wait for any dough to rise (or to worry about rolling it into a perfect circle). Instead, the pizza toppings are tossed with cooked pasta and a hearty meat sauce before being baked to melty, cheesy perfection.
We show how to make our pizza casserole recipe with ground beef and pepperoni, but you can easily swap in other pizza toppings. Make it with sausage, bell peppers, olives and mushrooms to create a supreme pizza, or get wacky with ham and pineapple if your kids love Hawaiian pizza. You can even use pesto or white pizza sauce instead of spaghetti sauce. In other words, have fun customizing the casserole to your heart’s content (or your picky eater’s liking!).
This recipe also happens to be freezer-friendly. As written, it creates an extra 13×9 freezer casserole that you can stash away for a rainy day. If you don’t have the freezer space, feel free to halve the recipe and make a single casserole.
Pizza Casserole Ingredients
- Pasta: We use spiral or cavatappi pasta for its fun, twisty shape. Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente.
- Spaghetti sauce: You can use store-bought jarred pasta sauce or homemade canned spaghetti sauce if you really want the pizza pasta casserole to stand out.
- Ground beef and onions: These ingredients are added to the spaghetti sauce to make it heartier and more filling. You can use rich ground chuck or lean ground sirloin, or swap in a different ground meat like ground pork, sausage, chicken or turkey.
- Mozzarella cheese: Low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella cheese is the classic choice for pizza recipes because it melts well.
- Pepperoni: Regular or turkey pepperoni can be used in this pepperoni pizza casserole recipe.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the beef
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, cook the beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain and discard any grease.
Step 2: Make the pasta mixture
Stir in the spaghetti sauce and pasta.
Step 3: Finish with cheese and pepperoni
Transfer the pasta mixture to two greased 13×9-inch baking dishes. Sprinkle with cheese, and arrange the pepperoni over the top.
Step 4: Bake the pizza pasta casserole
Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through.
Pizza Casserole Variations
- Make it vegetarian: Make a vegetarian pizza casserole by skipping the ground beef and pepperoni. Check the spaghetti sauce label, too, as some versions are made with chicken broth. You can bulk up the casserole with vegetables like mushrooms, peppers or spinach, or plant-based proteins like tofu or tempeh.
- Skip the pasta: For a gluten-free pizza casserole recipe without pasta, try making zucchini pizza casserole. The shredded zucchini combines with eggs and Parmesan cheese to make a low-carb “crust” on the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Add herbs: Cook the ground beef with dried herbs like Italian seasoning, basil or oregano. Or use fresh herbs, mixing chopped oregano or thyme into the spaghetti sauce and garnishing the finished casserole with fresh basil.
- Use another type of pasta: Feel free to substitute other short pasta shapes, like penne, farfalle, gemelli or elbow macaroni. For a softer texture, try using egg noodles.
- Change the cheese: Swap in fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture, or add complexity by using shredded provolone, fontina or Parmesan cheese.
How to Store Pizza Casserole
Let the pepperoni pizza casserole cool slightly and transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Can you freeze pizza casserole?
You can freeze unbaked pizza pasta casserole for up to three months. Assemble the casserole, but do not bake it. Once the pasta mixture has cooled completely, cover the casserole dish and transfer it to the freezer. To use, partially thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Remove it from the fridge 30 minutes before baking. Bake as directed in a 350° oven, increasing the time to 35 to 40 minutes or until heated through and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 165°.
Can you make pizza casserole ahead of time?
You can make the pizza casserole recipe ahead of time and store the unbaked casserole in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake the casserole, adjust the cooking time as needed, as the cooled pasta mixture will take longer to heat through.
Pizza Casserole Tips
How do you make pepperoni pizza casserole in the slow cooker?
To make slow-cooker pizza casserole, transfer the pasta mixture to a 5-quart slow cooker instead of a baking dish. Add the cheese and pepperoni on top. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for two to three hours or until heated through.
How do you keep pizza pasta casserole from tasting mushy?
Pizza pasta casserole can taste mushy if the pasta is overcooked, so make sure to cook the pasta to al dente. When you cut into it, there should be a slight white ring of uncooked pasta in the center of the noodle.
What should you serve with pizza casserole?
Pepperoni pizza casserole is rich, hearty and filling, so we recommend serving it with a light side dish like a side salad or roasted vegetables. Try air-fryer Brussels sprouts, fresh broccoli salad with lemon or seasoned green beans.
