Pizza Pasta Casserole
Pepperoni, bell peppers and onions…Yum! Nothing more, nothing less. Sean and I have tried other toppings, but we always go back to those three. I guess you could say we are a creature of habit.
Since we can’t eat pizza every night of the week (well I guess you could, but that’s not very healthy) I wanted to make something that reminded us of our favorite pizza, but wasn’t as greasy. It does have carbs, so I guess I’m swapping out oil for carbs. But hey wait one sec. Pizza has carbs too, so I’m still up in the pasta vs pizza category.
This pasta is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It comes together within 30 minutes and tastes amazing as leftovers. When we’re having a particular long week, I’ll make this pasta and we’ll eat it two to three times within the week. It’s just that good.
I did add a little basil for color and because basil is really growing on me lately. Oh man have you guys ever had a caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes? Oh my goodness it’s divine. I could live off caprese salad some days. Just throw some wine into the mix and I’m set. Sorry I went off on a little tangent there. Let’s get back to this recipe.
You can make this with your favorite toppings, but I can’t promise it will be done within the 30 minutes. But give it a try my way, then try it with your favs.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 14 ounce small pasta shells
- 1 pound italian turkey meat
- 1 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/2 red and green bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic
- 2/3 cup canned petite diced italian tomatoes
- 28 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
- 4-6 oz basil
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 4 - 6 oz pepperoni
- garnish: basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, run under cold water for a few seconds to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, add the ground turkey, Italian seasoning, onions and bell peppers. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring and breaking up meat as you go. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute. Drain any excess oil and return to skillet.
- Stir in tomatoes, spaghetti sauce and basil (you could stir in some extra pepperoni if you'd like). Mix in cooled pasta.
- Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella then layer pepperoni on top.
- Bake 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve and enjoy!
This pasta looks like heaven! I adore it!
Pizza casseroles are the best! It’s so nice to switch up regular pizza every now and then and make it in casserole form. This looks delicious, Cyndi! I love the ease of it and how fun it would be to customize the ingredients! Just perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Pizza and pasta are my two favorite comfort foods and this dish combines them so beautifully!
This is great! I love pizza and have made something really similar using potatoes instead of pasta 🙂 So need to make this!
Pizza in a casserole is the best! I love this!
I just know that my boys would love this. It looks so yummy!
This casserole looks so easy and totally delicious!
My family LOVES pizza and could probably eat it 5 out of the 7 nights. This is great way to enjoy the flavor of pizza but with pasta instead! So perfect for busy families!
Such a great idean. I am sure anyone would love the sounds off this and eating it too 🙂
30 minutes? I’m in! Looks so good and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner
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