Description
This Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish combining rotini pasta with a savory blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and bacon, all baked in rich pizza sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for pizza lovers seeking a comforting casserole that’s easy to prepare and satisfying for the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rotini pasta
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
Sauce & Seasonings
- 1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Toppings & Garnish
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside for mixing.
- Brown Meats: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them up with a wooden spoon until fully browned. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, minced garlic, and diced red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Combine Sauce: Stir in the pizza sauce, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat and vegetable mixture. Add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, and crumbled bacon. Mix everything thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the combined mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly and then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top for a delicious cheesy crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes to let the casserole heat through and the flavors combine.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired for added color and freshness.
Notes
- Ensure to drain the excess fat from the cooked meats to prevent the casserole from becoming too greasy.
- You can substitute rotini pasta with penne or rigatoni for similar results.
- If you prefer less spice, opt for mild Italian sausage and reduce the black pepper.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole, Main Dish
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: meat lovers pizza casserole, pizza casserole, ground beef casserole, Italian sausage pasta bake, easy dinner casserole
