Description
Pizza Pasta Bake combines the flavors of pizza and pasta into a cheesy, savory dish. With marinara sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, bell peppers, and optional Italian sausage, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
8 oz penne pasta (uncooked)
2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup sliced pepperoni
1 cup bell peppers (sliced)
1 cup cooked Italian sausage (optional)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil water in a large pot. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with marinara sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to ensure every piece of pasta is coated.
- Stir in sliced pepperoni, bell peppers, and cooked Italian sausage (if using).
- Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- If desired, sprinkle with fresh basil for an extra touch of flavor and color.
Notes
If you need a gluten-free option, swap out the penne pasta for gluten-free pasta.
For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the sauce.
You can experiment with different cheeses, such as provolone, cheddar, or gouda, for a unique twist on the classic cheese topping.
Feel free to make this ahead of time by preparing the dish and refrigerating it before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
