Easy Pizza Pasta Casserole Recipe (Cheesy Pizza Bake)

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Easy Cheesy Pizza Pasta Casserole – your favorite pasta, ground beef, spicy mini pepperonis, zesty green peppers, sliced black olives, mushrooms, melty cheeses, and pasta sauce combined into one tasty, filling casserole that is a hit with the whole family.

Yes, you read that right, pizza AND pasta in the same casserole! YUM. I can’t think of a more delicious combination. The easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, pizza night, or anytime you get a pizza craving.

For more cheesy ground beef casserole recipes try my tater tot casserole, cheeseburger casserole, and cheesy taco pasta bake.

Pizza Pasta Casserole with Ground Beef, Pepperoni, and sliced black olives

This easy pizza pasta bake recipe combines your favorite pizza toppings with pasta and sauce for a baked dish that packs in an impressive amount of savory flavors.

Plus, it is also a good way to sneak some veggies into your diet! Even the picky eaters in my family love this ground beef pizza casserole. In fact, it has become a family favorite. In fact, it has become a family favorite!

Serving of pizza casserole with pasta and ground beef on a white plate with remaining casserole in the background

Why you’ll love this pizza pasta casserole

It combines your favorite pizza toppings with pasta. You can’t top that!
It is a hearty, filling meal on it’s own.
It is popular with both kids and adults alike.
It’s a great way to get some vegetables into your family’s diet.
Most of the ingredients can be prepped ahead of time, making this an easy weeknight dinner to put together.
If I haven’t said it already, this casserole is absolutely delicious!

Ingredients for your cheesy pizza pasta bake

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Fresh mushrooms, shredded mozzarella, pasta sauce, pepperoni, mini pepperoni, ground beef, one yellow onion, one green pepper, rotini pasta, sliced black olives, and shredded Parmesan cheese

Pasta– I prefer using rotini or shells
Ground Beef– ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground Italian sausage would work as well
Cheese– a tasty combination of shredded parmesan and mozzarella cheese
Pasta Sauce– Use your favorite marinara sauce. A combination of pasta sauce and pizza sauce would also be terrific.
Veggies– we used green pepper, onion, and mushrooms but feel free to switch it up or skip anything your family doesn’t like
Mini Pepperoni– If mini pepperoni isn’t available you can slice a regular size pepperoni into quarters
Sliced Black Olives
Seasonings– I used garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Sometimes I like to add fresh basil and/or Italian seasoning as well if I have that on hand.
Olive Oil– just a bit for sauteing the veggies
Toppings– Additional pepperoni slices, sliced mushrooms, sliced olives, and/or chopped green bell peppers.

How to make pepperoni pizza pasta casserole

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Heat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2: Cook pasta al dente according to the package directions. Drain and return to pot. Stir in one jar of sauce; set aside.

Cooked rotini pasta in red sauce in large pot

Step 3: Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet or stockpot over medium heat. Add in the peppers, onions, and mushrooms, reserving a small amount to use to top the casserole. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and saute over medium heat for 5-8 minutes or until onions are clear and veggies are slightly softened.

Chopped green peppers, onion, and mushrooms in skillet

Step 4: Add ground beef and continue cooking over medium heat, stirring frequently until ground beef is cooked through. Drain to remove any excess fat. Stir in ½ of a jar of spaghetti sauce and garlic powder. Then stir in the pepperoni, parmesan cheese, and olives, again reserving a small amount to sprinkle on top of the casserole.

mini pepperoni, shredded cheese, and sliced black olives on top of ground beef mixture in casserole dish.

Step 5: Spread the pasta evenly across the bottom of your prepared casserole dish. Follow with the meat mixture, and then the remaining half jar of pasta sauce. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly across the top.

four image collage: Top left-pasta in casserole dish. Top right-meat mixture over pasta in dish. Bottom left- pasta sauce over meat mixture in dish. Bottom right- cheese sprinkled over top of dish

Step 6: Top the casserole with reserved pepperoni, chopped green bell peppers, sliced olives, and sliced mushrooms.

Casserole topped with large pepperoni, sliced mushrooms, chopped green peppers, and sliced black olives

Step 7: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted.

Baked Pizza Pasta Casserole topped with pepperoni, olives, peppers, and mushrooms

What to serve with your easy pizza pasta casserole

This casserole is a great standalone dish for dinner. It has the ground beef for your protein, the pasta for carbs, and is packed with veggies.

If you do want something extra with this dish, add an Italian side salad and some homemade breadsticks or garlic bread. This easy pepperoni bread recipe with frozen bread dough would go great with the casserole too.

Storage and Reheating

This casserole will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days if it is tightly covered in a sealed container. You can reheat in the oven at 350 F for 15 minutes or microwave in individual-sized portions until warm.

Freezing

This pepperoni pizza casserole is also freezer-friendly! To freeze, simply prep the casserole and instead of baking, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to one month. Allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator then bake as directed in the recipe.

Baked cheesy pizza pasta casserole FAQs

Does it matter what kind of pasta I use?

You can really use any uncooked pasta you have at home. If you have younger kids I find it easier to stick to a more compact noodle elbows, rotini, or bowties because they are easier to eat but spaghetti can also work in a pinch.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Sure! You can definitely use ground turkey or even chicken instead of beef. Mild Italian sausage would also work well to give the dish a more defined pizza flavor.

If there is a topping that I don’t like, can I leave it out?

Of course! You can add or take out any of the veggies that you don’t like. For example, my husband doesn’t like mushrooms, so I’ve made it before without them. It was still delicious!

Other easy casserole recipes you’ll love

Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ritz Chicken Casserole – only 6 ingredients!
Sloppy Joe Casserole
Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your baked cheesy pizza pasta casserole turned out

I love your recipe! I’ve made it several times following the recipe. Today I wanted to make it, but found I had no green peppers or olives. What I did have was a block of mozzarella, ricotta cheese, ground beef and mini penne pasta. I ended up making the recipe, adding the cubes of mozzarella and dollops of ricotta between the layers.
I was amazed how quickly the whole thing disappeared! Can’t wait to make it again.