Here’s a crowd-pleasing recipe 👇
🍕 Pizza Pasta Bake
(Serves 6–8)
Ingredients
🍝 For the Pasta:
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12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti work best)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 lb ground beef, Italian sausage, or a mix
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½ cup pepperoni slices (plus more for topping)
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1 small onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pizza sauce
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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Salt & pepper to taste
🧀 For the Cheese Layer:
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup Parmesan cheese
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1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese (optional but creamy!)
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta
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Boil in salted water until al dente (1 minute less than package time).
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Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Cook the meat mixture
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In a large skillet, brown ground beef/sausage over medium heat.
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Drain excess fat.
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Add onion and garlic; cook until soft, about 2 minutes.
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Stir in pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and pepperoni.
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Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
3. Assemble the bake
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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In a 9×13-inch baking dish, mix pasta, meat sauce, and half the mozzarella.
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Dollop ricotta or cottage cheese evenly over the top.
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Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and extra pepperoni slices.
4. Bake
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Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
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Broil for 2–3 minutes if you want the cheese extra golden and melty.
5. Serve
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Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm. 🍽️
💡 Topping Ideas
Make it taste just like your favorite pizza! Add any of these before baking:
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🍄 Sautéed mushrooms
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🫑 Bell peppers or olives
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🧅 Red onions
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🌶️ Crushed red pepper
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🧄 Garlic butter drizzle
🧀 Storage
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Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days.
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Reheat in the oven or microwave — it’s just as good the next day!
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Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months (thaw overnight before baking).
Would you like me to give you a “Supreme Pizza Pasta Bake” version next — loaded with sausage, peppers, olives, and onions?
