Pizza Pasta Bake

Pizza Pasta Bake

from insanelygoodrecipes.com
60 min
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 (24 ounce) jar pizza or marinara sauce
  • 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!