If you’re searching for a quick, family-friendly dinner, this One Pot Pizza Casserole recipe is the answer. Combining pasta, marinara sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese, it’s baked to bubbly perfection in one dish. This casserole has all the flavors of pizza with the ease of a hearty pasta bake. After a long day, this recipe comes together effortlessly and is sure to satisfy even the hungriest appetites. If you like simple casseroles like this, make sure to check out our baked ziti for another simple option!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What makes this dish stand out is its simplicity. There’s no need to pre-cook the pasta, and it all bakes together in the same dish, minimizing cleanup. The bold flavors of marinara sauce, gooey melted mozzarella, and savory pepperoni give this casserole a classic pizza taste in every bite. Plus, it’s customizable—perfect for picky eaters or adventurous foodies.
Tips for Making the Best Pizza Casserole
- No-Boil Pasta: Skip cooking the noodles beforehand. The uncooked pasta absorbs the liquid during baking, resulting in perfectly tender noodles.
- Layering Pepperoni: Reserve some pepperoni slices for the top to add a crispy, pizza-like texture.
- Cheese Tip: Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that may affect how it melts.
- Add-Ins: Feel free to toss in cooked sausage, diced bell peppers, or black olives to mix things up.
Storing and Freezing Tips
- Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven for best results.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes beautifully. Assemble the dish, but don’t bake it yet. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. To bake, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and follow the baking instructions.
This One Pot Pizza Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish. Pair it with garlic breadsticks or a crisp side salad, and you’ve got a complete meal the whole family will love.
One Pot Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 box (16 ounces) elbow macaroni, dry
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bag (6 ounces) pepperoni slices, reserving ¼ cup for topping
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- Fresh basil chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In the prepared baking dish, combine the dry elbow macaroni, marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, and most of the pepperoni slices, reserving ¼ cup for topping. Stir thoroughly to ensure the macaroni is evenly coated with the sauce and seasoning. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake the casserole, covered, for 25 minutes.
- Carefully remove the aluminum foil. Sprinkle the top evenly with mozzarella cheese and the reserved pepperoni slices. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped basil before serving.
Inspired by iamhomesteader’s recipe for easy pizza casserole.
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Anything with the word pizza in it is 4 me❣️😁🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕