Description
Pizza Pasta Bake is a comforting dish that combines the flavors of pizza and pasta into a delicious baked meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, sausage and vegetable mixture, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and sliced pepperoni.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the Italian sausage with a plant-based sausage or omit it entirely and add extra vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.
- Experiment with different cheese blends, such as provolone or cheddar, for a unique flavor twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg