Description
This Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta Bake is a comforting, flavorful casserole featuring al dente rotini pasta baked with a savory meat mixture of ground beef and pepperoni, combined with rich marinara sauce and mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Topped with melted cheese and baked until bubbly, it’s an easy family-friendly meal perfect for weeknights.
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 prepare it for the pasta bake.
- Cook ground beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef seasoned with kosher salt and pepper until no longer pink, about 8–10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming oily.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked rotini pasta, pepperoni slices, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning to the skillet with the beef. Stir well to evenly mix all ingredients. Then transfer this mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture in the baking dish to create a cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Remove from oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness, then serve warm and enjoy your cheesy pepperoni pasta bake.
Notes
- Customize this casserole by adding your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers for additional flavor and texture.
- For a spicier kick, use spicy pepperoni or add red pepper flakes to the meat mixture before cooking.
