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Easy One-Pot Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

Close-up of a serving of one-pot pizza pasta with melted mozzarella, pepperoni slices, and herbs.
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Create a comforting, family-friendly meal that combines the best flavors of pizza and pasta in one simple, cheesy bake. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry pasta (like rotini or penne)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed (or ground beef)
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in the water or broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Add the dry pasta to the skillet. Stir well to coat the pasta completely with the sauce.
  6. Cover the skillet and cook over medium heat for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is mostly tender but still slightly firm (al dente). The liquid should be mostly absorbed.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the pepperoni and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
  8. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
  9. Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned. Let the pizza pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a supreme flavor, add 1/2 cup sliced black olives and 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers when you add the pepperoni.
  • If you prefer a creamier texture, stir in 1/2 cup of cream cheese or heavy cream with the mozzarella before baking.
  • This recipe works well as a make-ahead meal; assemble it completely, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5-10 minutes to the bake time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishcraze.com/easy-one-pot-cheesy-pizza-pasta-bake/