PEPPERONI PIZZA CASSEROLE

Pepperoni Pizza Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Pizza is a universally loved dish, known for its gooey cheese, savory sauce, and satisfying toppings. But what if you could enjoy all those delicious pizza flavors in a different form?

Enter the Pepperoni Pizza Casserole, an easy-to-make, family-friendly recipe that brings together the beloved ingredients of a pizza into a comforting, casserole-style dish.

Whether you’re serving it for a busy weeknight dinner or preparing it for a cozy weekend meal, this casserole is sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings for pizza in a fun and filling new way.

Ingredients

To make this mouthwatering Pepperoni Pizza Casserole, you will need the following ingredients:

12 oz Rotini pasta: This pasta shape is perfect for casseroles as it holds the sauce and cheese well. It adds texture and makes each bite satisfying.

If you don’t have rotini, you can substitute it with other pasta types like penne or rigatoni.

24 oz Pizza sauce: The pizza sauce is the backbone of the casserole, giving it that iconic pizza flavor.

Choose your favorite brand of pizza sauce, or if you’re feeling adventurous, make your own at home with crushed tomatoes, herbs, and spices.

1 cup Diced pepperoni: Pepperoni is the classic pizza topping, and in this casserole, it delivers that familiar, savory taste.

Dicing the pepperoni allows it to mix well with the other ingredients, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.

½ cup Whole pepperoni: These whole slices of pepperoni will add an extra touch of indulgence and are perfect for garnishing the top of your casserole, giving it a pizza-like appearance.

2 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded: Mozzarella is the ideal cheese for pizza casseroles because of its meltiness and mild flavor.

Shredded mozzarella will make it easy to sprinkle over the casserole and allow it to melt perfectly into a gooey, golden crust.

1 teaspoon Oregano, dried: Oregano adds that essential Italian herb flavor to the casserole.

It’s one of the classic seasonings used in pizza recipes, bringing a burst of aromatic, slightly bitter flavor that complements the savory ingredients.

Instructions

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare this delicious and cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Casserole:

Preheat the Oven: Before you begin assembling your casserole, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

This ensures your casserole will bake evenly and get nice and bubbly as it cooks.

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook it according to the package instructions.

You want the pasta to be al dente, as it will cook a bit more in the oven. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.

Prepare the Casserole Mix: While the pasta is cooking, grab a large mixing bowl and add the pizza sauce. Next, toss in the diced pepperoni and the whole pepperoni slices.

Stir everything together to make sure the pepperoni is evenly distributed.

Combine the Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained rotini pasta into the bowl with the pizza sauce and pepperoni mixture. Stir to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.

Add the Cheese: Once the pasta is well coated, stir in about 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese. The cheese will add creaminess and flavor to the casserole.

After mixing, transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Make sure the pasta is evenly spread out.

Top with More Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the casserole.

This will create a beautiful, cheesy crust that’s golden and melted when it comes out of the oven.

Bake: Place the baking dish into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top has a light golden brown color.

If you want a more crispy top, you can broil it for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Cool and Serve: After baking, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

This will allow the casserole to set and make it easier to serve.

Tips for the Perfect Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

To ensure your casserole turns out perfectly every time, here are some helpful tips:

Use Fresh Mozzarella for Extra Creaminess: If you’re aiming for an even creamier and richer casserole, consider using fresh mozzarella. It melts beautifully and adds a luxurious texture to the dish.

Customize with Additional Toppings: While pepperoni is the star of the show in this recipe, you can easily add more toppings to match your preferences.

Try adding sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or black olives for extra flavor and texture. Feel free to get creative with your pizza topping choices!

Spice It Up: If you like a bit of heat in your dishes, sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the casserole before serving.

This will add a nice spicy kick that complements the richness of the cheese and sauce.

Make it Healthier: You can make this dish slightly healthier by using whole wheat pasta, reducing the amount of cheese, or opting for turkey pepperoni instead of regular pepperoni.

Storage

This casserole makes for great leftovers, and it stores well for a couple of days:

Refrigeration: Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container.

It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Simply reheat in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through.

Freezing: If you want to store it for a longer period, you can freeze the casserole. First, let it cool completely. Then, wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

Label it with the date, and it can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

Serving Suggestions

This Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is filling on its own, but you can elevate the meal by serving it alongside some simple dishes:

Side Salad: Pair the casserole with a light side salad dressed with Italian vinaigrette. The freshness of the salad balances the richness of the casserole.

Garlic Bread: If you want to add a bit more comfort to the meal, serve the casserole with crispy garlic bread.

The buttery, garlicky bread makes for the perfect sidekick to this cheesy dish.

Vegetable Sides: Roasted vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, or roasted bell peppers will add a healthy and colorful touch to the meal while complementing the pizza flavor.

Conclusion

In summary, the Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is a satisfying, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that combines all the best elements of a pizza into one hearty meal. With its creamy mozzarella, savory pepperoni, and tangy pizza sauce, it’s a dish that will please the entire family.

Whether you’re making it for a casual weeknight or serving it at a gathering, this casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve it with a side salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal that everyone will love.

This dish is also perfect for meal prepping, as it can be stored for later without losing its delicious flavor.

Next time you crave pizza but want something a little different, give this Pepperoni Pizza Casserole a try—you won’t be disappointed!