Certainly! Pepperoni pizza casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that captures the flavors of a classic pepperoni pizza in a casserole form. Here’s a simple recipe for you:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (16 oz) rotini pasta
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375Β°F (190Β°C).
- Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Once the sausage is browned, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and the tomato-sausage mixture. Mix well to ensure the pasta is coated evenly.
- Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan over the pasta.
- Add a layer of sliced pepperoni over the cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta mixture, mozzarella, Parmesan, and another layer of pepperoni.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
- Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your delicious pepperoni pizza casserole! Feel free to customize it with your favorite pizza toppings or additional seasonings.
