Pizza Casserole: A Cheesy Delight for Any Occasion!

Pizza CasserolePhoto byFood Fusion Frenzy

Pizza casserole is a delightful dish that combines all the flavors of your favorite pizza in a comforting, baked casserole. It’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to serve something hearty and delicious.

>>>Get the Recipe in Details: Pizza Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cups penne pasta, cooked and drained
• 1 jar (24 ounces) pizza sauce
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook Meat and Vegetables: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Add the chopped onion and bell peppers, and cook until the vegetables are tender. Drain any excess fat.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat mixture, pizza sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Layer with half of the pepperoni slices. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta mixture, cheese, and pepperoni.
5. Bake: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Tips:

• Meat Options: You can use ground turkey or chicken as a healthier alternative to beef or sausage.
• Vegetable Additions: Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, olives, or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Make Ahead: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Conclusion:

Pizza casserole is a fantastic dish that brings together the best of pizza and pasta in one easy-to-make recipe. Its cheesy, savory layers are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. This versatile casserole is perfect for any occasion and can be customized to suit your tastes. Enjoy the delicious flavors of pizza in a comforting casserole form and share it with your loved ones!

Happy cooking! 🍕🧀

If you have any other recipes or culinary questions, feel free to ask!