Pizza Pasta Casserole combines the fun tastes of pizza with a hearty pasta casserole. Simple ingredients and 10 minutes prep creates the perfect weeknight dinner.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or oil and set aside.
Cook pasta as directed on the box. Drain and set aside.
In a medium skillet, brown the meat, chopping it into small pieces. Drain the fat off and add the onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning, cooking on medium-low until the onion softens and appears translucent.
Slice half of the pepperoni in half. In a large bowl, mix the pizza sauce and water together. Add in the meat, halved pepperoni slices and 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese.
Mix well and pour into the prepared 8x8-inch baking dish.
Top with the remaining shredded cheese and arrange the pepperoni slices on top.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for and additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted. You can place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes if you like your cheese nicely browned.
Notes
STORE/FREEZE/REHEATTo Store: Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate it for up to 3 days.To Freeze: Transfer the cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container. Freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.To Reheat: Add some pizza sauce if the leftovers look dry. Bake the leftovers in a covered dish at 350°F until heated through, about 15 minutes.