This Pizza Pasta Bake is one of our family favorites! Made with pasta, marinara sauce, cheese, and pizza toppings, this easy casserole recipe will be one to add to your weeknight dinner rotation.
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EASY PIZZA PASTA CASSEROLE
As a mom, it can be hard to find a dinner that the entire family will love. But, this pizza pasta bake is one that I can guarantee will have no leftovers left, because it is THAT good! This casserole is easy to make any only requires a few, simple ingredients. If you love this recipe, then you need to check out my Marry Me Chicken Orzo Casserole and Pizza Dip.
This easy pizza pasta casserole is one of those easy weeknight meals you have to add to the dinner rotation! The flavors of this pasta truly make it a 10/10! This recipe has minimal ingredients, easy prep, and a dinner that your entire family will love. I love a meal that can be completely customizable with your favorite toppings. Honestly, this recipe can't get any easier!
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WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS PIZZA PASTA BAKE
Family-Friendly: This easy pasta bake is picky toddler approved, and one of those easy dinners that everyone loves!
Affordable: Made with just a few simple ingredients, this meal is budget-friendly, and is great for leftovers.
Delicious: This flavor combination is truly a 10/10. My family always requests this casserole recipe, especially during those busy weeknights when we don't have much time to cook dinner. I love adding some crushed red pepper for a little extra kick!
INGREDIENTS
- Pasta: For this recipe, I used curly macaroni. However, you can also use your favorite pasta shells.
- Sauce: The marinara and tomato sauce provides the pizza-like flavors to really make this dish stand out! I prefer using the Carbone marinara.
- Cheese: Mozzarella and Ricotta cheese add the perfect creamy and cheesy consistency for the recipe.
- Pizza Toppings: We love adding pepperoni for this pizza pasta, however, you can add any pizza toppings you love!
- Seasonings: The seasonings used include salt, pepper, italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, crushed red pepper.
HOW TO MAKE PIZZA PASTA CASSEROLE
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta for 7-8 minutes before al dente. In a 13x9 pan, add cooked pasta shells to bottom of pan.
Next add marinara sauce to the top of the pasta. Then you will add seasonings, and ricotta cheese. Stir together until well combined.
Then you'll add 8 oz mozzarella cheese into the pasta mixture and stir together.
Finally, top with additional layer of cheese, and pizza toppings.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.
TIPS AND TRICKS
Pasta: When cooking the pasta shells, I recommend cooking the pasta for about 7-8 minutes. You do not want the pasta shells to be fully cooked before adding to casserole dish, since it will cook for additional time.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezer Friendly: You can make the pizza pasta bake and freeze it to use for a later time. However, I recommend prepping it up until you add the pizza toppings, and then cover it tightly with aluminum foil and seran wrap in the freezer. Note: allow for additional cooking time since it will be frozen.
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Pizza Pasta Bake
Equipment
- 1 13x9 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 16 oz dry pasta
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 12 oz tomato sauce
- 5 oz pepperoni slices
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- preheat oven to 375 degrees
- in a pot of salted hot water, cook pasta shells until al dente (typically 7-8 minutes)
- once the pasta is cooked, drain the water and set aside.
- in a 13x9 pan, add cooked pasta to dish.
- then add marinara sauce, tomato sauce, and seasonings listed.
- add ricotta cheese and mix together until well combined in the pasta.
- add shredded mozzarella cheese and mix together into the pasta.
- then add additional layer of mozzarella cheese to top of casserole dish.
- top with your favorite pizza toppings.
- bake for 20-25 minutes. broil on low for 2-3 minutes for additional cheese crisp
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