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Easy One-Pot Pizza Pasta Bake for Weeknight Dinner

A fork lifting a cheesy, saucy portion of pizza pasta bake out of a white bowl, showing melted cheese strings.
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Make this cheesy, comforting pizza pasta bake that combines all your favorite pizza flavors into one simple, family-approved casserole. It is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped bell pepper (any color)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces jar marinara sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 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. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off excess grease.
  4. Add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the marinara sauce, water, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
  6. Stir in the cooked, drained pasta and the sliced pepperoni. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  7. Add the cubed cream cheese and half (1 cup) of the mozzarella cheese to the pasta mixture. Stir gently until the cream cheese melts and the mixture becomes creamy.
  8. Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  9. Top the pasta evenly with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
  10. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned on top.
  11. Let the pizza pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a supreme pizza flavor, add 1/2 cup sliced black olives and 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms along with the pepperoni.
  • If you skip the baking step, this makes a great, quick one-pot pizza pasta meal ready in under 20 minutes.
  • You can substitute ground beef or ground turkey for the Italian sausage if you prefer.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yummagnet.com/easy-pizza-pasta-bake-recipe/