Easy Pizza Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 lb penne pasta (Cooked al dente according to package directions; reserve 3/4 cup pasta water.)
• cooking spray or oil (For greasing the casserole dish.)
• 1 lb Italian sausage (Cooked and crumbled; the transcript does not specify whether it is mild or hot.)
• 1 can marinara sauce (Can size not stated; approximately 24 oz assumed.)
• 0.75 cup reserved pasta water (Reserved from cooking the penne.)
• 3.25 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (Approximately 2 cups mixed into the casserole plus 1 to 1 1/2 cups for the topping.)
• Italian seasoning (To taste; sprinkled into the casserole and/or over the top.)
• pizza squeeze sauce (Enough to drizzle or layer over the pasta as pizza-style sauce; amount not specified.)
• pepperoni (A generous amount, arranged over the cheese; quantity not specified.)
• fresh basil (Chopped or diced, for topping; amount not specified.)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a casserole dish with cooking spray or oil.

2. 2

   Cook the penne in salted water according to the package directions until al dente. Do not overcook it, since it will continue cooking in the oven. Before draining, reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta water.

3. 3

   Add the cooked penne directly to the prepared casserole dish.

4. 4

   Cook the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease if necessary, then add the sausage to the pasta.

5. 5

   Pour the marinara sauce over the pasta and sausage.

6. 6

   Pour the reserved pasta water into the marinara sauce container, shake or stir to loosen the remaining sauce, and pour it over the casserole.

7. 7

   Add approximately 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and sprinkle in Italian seasoning. Stir gently until the sauce coats the noodles and the sausage and cheese are distributed throughout.

8. 8

   Drizzle or layer pizza squeeze sauce over the mixed pasta, spreading it across the surface as you would sauce a pizza.

9. 9

   Add another 1 to 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella over the top, using enough to create a generously cheesy layer.

10. 10

    Arrange a generous amount of pepperoni over the cheese, then sprinkle the chopped fresh basil over the top.

11. 11

    Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

12. 12

    Remove the foil and continue baking for approximately 10 minutes, until the mozzarella is fully melted and the cheese and pepperoni are lightly crisped. The total baking time is about 30 minutes.

13. 13

    Let the casserole rest briefly so it is easier to serve, then spoon it into bowls and serve hot. Be careful, as the melted cheese and sauce will be very hot.

Notes

The creator emphasizes cooking the pasta al dente to prevent a soggy casserole. The transcript mentions about 20 minutes covered and removing the foil during the final 10 minutes; this yields approximately 30 minutes of total baking time. Homemade marinara may be used instead of canned sauce.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• casserole
• baked
• Italian-American
• family-friendly
• kid-friendly
• comfort food
• potluck