Description
This Supreme Pizza Casserole combines classic pizza flavors with the comfort of a baked pasta dish. Featuring penne pasta, lean ground beef, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, bell peppers, and olives, it’s a delicious and hearty meal perfect for family dinners. Baked to bubbly perfection, this casserole is an easy and satisfying way to enjoy all your favorite pizza toppings in one dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound penne pasta
Meat and Sauce Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons dried minced onion (or 1/2 cup freshly chopped yellow onion)
- 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 32 ounces pizza sauce or marinara sauce (such as Contadina brand)
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 16 slices pepperoni
- 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
- 1 can (4 ounces) sliced black olives
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray to prevent sticking. Set aside for later use.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large pot, cook the lean ground beef over medium heat until it is fully browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease for a leaner dish. Add the dried minced onion (or fresh chopped onion), minced garlic, and Italian seasoning to the beef. Stir well, then pour in the pizza sauce or marinara sauce and mix thoroughly. Remove the pot from heat once combined.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked and drained penne pasta to the meat and sauce mixture. Stir gently until the pasta is fully coated with the sauce and beef mixture. Pour this combined mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded Mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Then layer the pepperoni slices, sliced green bell pepper, and sliced black olives over the cheese to add supreme pizza flavors.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly throughout.
- Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and take off the foil. Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly and cool to the perfect temperature. Enjoy your hearty Supreme Pizza Casserole!
Notes
- Use freshly chopped onion in place of dried minced onion for a more vibrant flavor.
- Feel free to substitute pepperoni with other pizza toppings like mushrooms or sausage based on preference.
- Make sure to drain the ground beef well to reduce excess grease in the dish.
- Covering the casserole during baking ensures it stays moist and bubbly.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving helps to set the layers and improves slicing and serving.
