Description
This Supreme Pizza Casserole combines classic pizza flavors with comforting pasta in a hearty, baked dish perfect for family dinners. Featuring penne pasta, seasoned ground beef, savory pizza sauce, melted mozzarella, pepperoni, bell peppers, and olives, it’s a flavorful one-pan meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to please all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound penne pasta
Meat and Sauce
- 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 (Contadina brand recommended)
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 and Prepare. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray to prevent the casserole from sticking.
- Cook Pasta. Boil the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside to cool slightly.
- Cook Beef Mixture. In a large pot, cook and crumble the ground beef over medium heat until it is no longer pink. Drain excess grease, then add the dried minced onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and pizza sauce. Stir everything together well and remove from heat.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce. Add the cooked penne pasta to the beef and sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly to evenly combine all ingredients. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Toppings. Sprinkle shredded Mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Then layer the 16 pepperoni slices, sliced green bell pepper, and sliced black olives evenly over the cheese.
- Bake. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve. Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and take off the foil. Let it stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly. Enjoy your flavorful Supreme Pizza Casserole!
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or fresh basil before baking.
- If preferred, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef for a leaner option.
- Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- The casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to baking time.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
