Pizza Casserole Meat Lovers (Printable Version)
Satisfy pizza cravings with hearty meats, melty cheese, and pasta baked golden for pure comfort.
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta base
01 -
340 g penne or rotini, uncooked
→ Meat
02 -
450 g ground beef
03 -
225 g Italian sausage, casings removed, crumbled
04 -
120 g pepperoni slices
05 -
120 g bacon, cooked and crumbled
→ Sauce & Spices
06 -
470 ml marinara or pizza sauce
07 -
1 tsp Italian herbs
08 -
0.5 tsp garlic powder
09 -
0.5 tsp chili flakes, optional
→ Cheese layer
10 -
200 g mozzarella cheese, grated
11 -
60 g Cheddar cheese, grated
12 -
30 g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
# Steps:
01 -
Boil the pasta in generously salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 -
In a large skillet set over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until well-browned and crumbly. Drain excess fat.
03 -
Set oven to 190°C (375°F) using top and bottom heat.
04 -
In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the cooked pasta with browned meats, pepperoni slices, crumbled bacon, marinara sauce, Italian herbs, garlic powder, and chili flakes if using. Ensure even coating of sauce and aromatics.
05 -
Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 23 × 33 cm baking dish. Distribute evenly. Sprinkle mozzarella, Cheddar, and Parmesan over the top.
06 -
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling and the casserole is thoroughly heated.
07 -
Allow casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving to set the layers for easy portioning.
# Notes:
01 -
For perfect texture, always cook pasta until al dente; it will finish cooking in the oven.
02 -
Freshly grated cheese melts best and delivers a superior crust.
03 -
For a crispier cheese finish, use the oven grill for an additional 2–3 minutes at the end of baking.
04 -
Prepared casserole can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or stored frozen in individual portions.