Description
This Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish combining al dente rigatoni pasta with a rich Italian sausage marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and pepperoni. Baked to perfection, it offers the flavors of a classic pizza in a warm, cheesy casserole form—perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Sauce and Meat
- 2 jars (24 ounces each) traditional pasta sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
- 1 box (16 ounces) rigatoni pasta
Cheese and Toppings
- 1 bag (12 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 bag pepperoni (approximately 36 slices)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Boil Pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Drizzle olive oil into a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook it until fully browned. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant. Pour in the two jars of traditional pasta sauce and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, add the rigatoni pasta to the boiling water and cook for 8 minutes, making sure the pasta is undercooked for baking. Drain the pasta well and return it to the pot.
- Prepare Pepperoni: Count out 18 whole pepperoni slices and set them aside for topping. Slice the remaining pepperoni into chunks for mixing into the casserole.
- Combine Pasta, Sauce, and Cheese: In the pot with drained pasta, stir in the meat sauce, chopped pepperoni, and a handful of shredded mozzarella cheese until well combined.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the mixture into a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Top evenly with the remaining mozzarella cheese and arrange the 18 whole pepperoni slices on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pepperoni becomes crispy.
Notes
- Make sure to undercook the pasta slightly as it will continue to cook in the oven and avoid becoming mushy.
- You can substitute Italian sausage with ground beef or turkey if preferred.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle some dried Italian herbs like oregano or basil on top before baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.