Description
This Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta Bake is a delicious, comforting casserole combining al dente rotini pasta with a savory ground beef and pepperoni mixture, layered with marinara sauce and three types of cheese. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s a perfect family-friendly meal that can easily be customized with your favorite pizza toppings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions, drained
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup (138 g) pepperoni slices
- 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook ground beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, seasoning with kosher salt and pepper, stirring occasionally, until fully browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked rotini pasta, pepperoni slices, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning to the skillet with the beef. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly. Transfer the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole to create a cheesy crust during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top. Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can customize this casserole by adding your favorite pizza toppings such as mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers.
- For a spicier kick, use spicy pepperoni or add red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
- Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to prevent the bake from becoming mushy.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 498 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 986 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 94 mg
