Pizza Pasta Bake

Pizza Pasta Bake

8 servings
Every bite of this savory pizza pasta bake is loaded with Italian sausage, pepperoni, and gooey mozzarella cheese. It’s perfect for a family dinner!

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces penne

    rigatoni, or rotini pasta

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion

    finely diced

  • 3 cloves garlic

    minced

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

    optional

  • 1 jar pizza or marinara sauce

    24 ounce

  • 12 ounces pepperoni slices

    divided

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

    divided

  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

  2. 2

    Cook the pasta per the package instructions until 2 minutes before al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.

  3. 3

    While the pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and onion, breaking the meat up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until the meat is browned and the onions are soft, about 8-10 minutes.

  4. 4

    Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and stir for 1-2 minutes. Mix in the pizza sauce, half of the pepperoni slices, 1 cup mozzarella, and the cooked pasta until well coated.

  5. 5

    Transfer the pasta mixture to the baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and the rest of the pepperoni slices.

  6. 6

    Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

  7. 7

    Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm with garlic bread, and enjoy!

Pizza Pasta Bake

Pizza Pasta Bake

60 min8 servings

Similar Recipes

Pizza Pasta Salad

Pizza Pasta Salad

This Pizza Pasta Salad recipe is quick and easy to make, it’s tossed with a simple Italian vinaigrette, and you can customize it with all of your favorite pizza toppings!

30 minutes6 -8 servings
Pasta Carbonara

Pasta Carbonara

Spaghetti with bacon, egg and parmesan resulting in a rich classic Italian pasta dish.

20 minutes
Meatball Pasta Bake

Meatball Pasta Bake

Noodles are tossed with a cheesy sauce and then topped with homemade meatballs and pasta sauce!

90 minutes413 kcal
Meatball Pasta Bake

Meatball Pasta Bake

This easy-to-make baked meatball pasta casserole with layers of marinara sauce and 3 different types of cheese is better than lasagna!

60 minutes8 servings701 kcal
Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake

Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake

This creamy ham and cheese pasta bake is an easy to make comfort food that's the perfect crowd pleasing and delicious weeknight meal.

45 minutes484 kcal
Pizza Dough

Pizza Dough

This recipe, adapted from Roberta’s, the pizza and hipster haute-cuisine utopia in Bushwick, Brooklyn, provides a delicate, extraordinarily flavorful dough that will last in the refrigerator for up to a week. It rewards close attention to weight rather than volume in the matter of the ingredients, and asks for a mixture of finely ground Italian pizza flour (designated “00” on the bags and available in some supermarkets, many specialty groceries and always online) and regular all-purpose flour. As ever with breads, rise time will depend on the temperature and humidity of your kitchen and refrigerator.

3.5 hours2 12-inch pizzas518 kcal
Chicken Parm Pasta

Chicken Parm Pasta

If you love chicken Parmesan but are all about pasta, then combine the two favorites into one dish into this quick dinner with easy shortcuts.

10 minutes604 kcal
Lasagna

Lasagna

What makes this classic lasagna recipe so spectacular? Homemade meat sauce and plenty of cheese. Best of all, it's easy to make lasagna ahead of time so dinner can be ready in a flash.

110 minutes12 servings519 kcal

Ratings & Reviews

Be the First to Rate

Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!

About this Recipe

Craving the comforting flavors of pizza and pasta but want something new for family dinner? This Pizza Pasta Bake delivers, combining all your favorite savory elements into one irresistible dish.

It layers hearty Italian sausage, zesty pepperoni, and a rich pizza or marinara sauce with perfectly cooked pasta. The magic happens under a blanket of gooey mozzarella and savory Parmesan, creating a casserole that’s both satisfying and incredibly flavorful in every single bite.

Prepare for a symphony of textures and tastes. Each forkful offers tender pasta enveloped in a robust, savory sauce, punctuated by the spicy kick of Italian sausage and the salty chew of pepperoni. The melted mozzarella creates that iconic “pizza pull,” while the Parmesan adds a sharp, nutty finish. This dish is designed to be a comforting and fulfilling meal, perfect for satisfying big appetites.

Feel free to tailor this bake to your family's preferences:

  • For a vegetarian option, simply omit the Italian sausage and pepperoni, adding extra bell peppers or mushrooms.
  • If you're out of penne, rigatoni, or rotini, any other short, hearty pasta shape will work beautifully.
  • Adjust the red pepper flakes to your desired level of spice, or omit them entirely for a milder bake.

This Pizza Pasta Bake is ideal for a bustling family dinner, a potluck, or anytime you need a comforting meal that feeds a crowd. Serve it with a simple green salad and some crusty garlic bread to complete the Italian-inspired feast.

Frequently Asked Questions