Description
This Baked Pizza Pasta recipe combines the comforting flavors of classic pizza with the heartiness of pasta. Ground beef, Italian seasoning, and pepperoni are mixed into rotini pasta, then baked with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese and pizza sauce for a cheesy, flavorful, and easy-to-make family favorite dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Other Ingredients
- 14 ounce jar pizza sauce
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 cups rotini pasta (measured before cooking)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- 36 slices pepperoni, divided
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook 3 cups of rotini pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown Meat: In a skillet, brown and crumble the ground beef along with diced onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease from the meat.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish.
- Mix Sauce and Pasta: In a large bowl, combine the pizza sauce and 3/4 cup water. Add the cooked pasta, 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese, the browned ground beef mixture, and 20 slices of pepperoni cut in half. Stir well to evenly combine all ingredients.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9×9-inch or 11×7-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the pasta mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta mixture. Arrange the remaining pepperoni slices on top for extra flavor and visual appeal.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to heat through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Notes
- This baked pizza pasta is a perfect blend of pasta and pizza flavors, making it a kid-friendly dinner option.
- You can substitute Italian sausage for ground beef to add extra spice and flavor.
- If desired, add vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms with the meat for added nutrition and variety.
- Use freshly shredded mozzarella for best melting quality.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 497 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 846 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
