Description
This Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta Bake is a hearty and flavorful casserole that’s perfect for a family dinner. Featuring al dente rotini pasta combined with seasoned ground beef, pepperoni slices, marinara sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, all baked to bubbly, golden perfection. It’s a comforting dish that combines the best of classic Italian flavors with the ease of a one-dish meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions, drained
Meat and Seasoning:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Cheeses:
- 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
Others:
- 1 cup (138 g) pepperoni slices
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Nonstick cooking spray (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the pasta doesn’t stick during baking.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, kosher salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is fully browned and no longer pink, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Combine Ingredients: To the skillet with cooked beef, add the drained rotini pasta, pepperoni slices, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir well until all components are evenly mixed. Then, transfer this mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Add Topping Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. This will create a delicious, melty cheese crust after baking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Once done, remove from the oven and allow the pasta bake to rest for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley to add a fresh color and slight herbaceous flavor.
Notes
- To prevent the pasta bake from being too watery, make sure to drain both the cooked pasta and any excess grease from the beef well.
- For a spicier version, substitute mild pepperoni with spicy pepperoni or add crushed red pepper flakes.
- You can prepare the beef and pasta mixture a day ahead, refrigerate it, then bake when ready.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil to add freshness to the dish.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
