This cheesy, saucy pizza pasta is the ultimate comfort-food mash-up. Packed with Italian sausage, gooey mozzarella, and pepperoni, it bakes into one satisfying, family-friendly casserole.
Easy Pizza Pasta Recipe
- Super simple: Mostly stove-to-oven in one pan (with pasta cooked separately), so prep and cleanup are easy.
- Big pizza flavor: All the classic pizza tastes—Italian sausage, pepperoni, tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese—combined with a hearty pasta base.
Ingredients for Pizza Pasta
- Pasta: Rotini, penne, or rigatoni work best to hold sauce and cheese.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth; white onion or shallot can be used instead.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings savory depth; garlic paste or powder may be substituted.
- Spices: Garlic powder and onion powder enhance the pizza profile.
- Italian sausage: Ground Italian sausage is ideal; swap ground beef or plant-based crumbles and add Italian seasoning if needed.
- Pizza sauce: Use your favorite jarred sauce or a simple homemade marinara.
- Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully; provolone is an acceptable alternative.
- Pepperoni: Adds classic pizza texture and flavor; turkey pepperoni or chopped salami can substitute.
- Parmesan cheese: For a salty, nutty finish; Romano or Asiago may be used.
- Salt & pepper: To taste.
- Garnishes: Fresh parsley, extra grated Parmesan, and red pepper flakes (optional).
How to Make Pizza Pasta
1. Preheat: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the pasta: Boil pasta until just al dente, drain, and toss with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
3. Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add diced onion with a pinch of salt and pepper and cook about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, garlic powder, and onion powder; cook 1 minute more.
4. Brown the sausage: Add Italian sausage to the pan and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through.
5. Combine: Stir in pizza sauce, a splash of water, and the cooked pasta until everything is evenly coated. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a 9×13 baking dish.
6. Add cheese & pepperoni: Top evenly with shredded mozzarella and pepperoni slices.
7. Bake: Cover with foil and bake 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. For a browned top, broil 1–2 minutes while watching closely.
8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired. Let rest a few minutes before serving for easier slicing and better texture.
Tips for Making Pizza Pasta
- Use an oven-safe skillet (cast iron or large sauté pan) to go straight from stovetop to oven. If not, transfer to a 9×13 baking dish.
- Customize the casserole with toppings like mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, or cooked bacon.
- Allow the dish to rest 5 minutes after baking so portions hold together and flavors meld.
Make-Ahead Instructions
- Assemble the casserole through the topping step, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
- Add 10–15 minutes to the bake time if baking from chilled.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover pizza pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing Pizza Pasta
- Freeze the fully assembled but unbaked casserole or freeze cooked leftovers.
- Wrap tightly and store up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or baking.
Reheating Pizza Pasta
- Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven covered with foil until warmed through, about 20–25 minutes.
- Microwave individual portions for 1–2 minutes if short on time.
Serving Suggestions
- Garlic bread or toasted crusty bread
- Simple green salad or Caesar salad
- Roasted or steamed vegetables
Recipe Summary
Prep time: about 15 minutes. Cook time: about 30 minutes. Total time: roughly 45 minutes. Yields approximately 8 servings. This Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Pasta is a crowd-pleasing, easy-to-make casserole that delivers the comforting flavors of pizza in pasta form.