Easy Pizza Pasta Bake with Ground Beef

Make dinner delicious, filling, and fun with my Pizza Pasta Bake! This casserole is filled with rotini pasta, red sauce, ground beef, veggies, cheese, and your favorite toppings! A kid and adult-friendly meal that can be made gluten-free and dairy-free.

Prep Time5

Total Time30

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: servings

Author: Ashley McCrary

Equipment

Ingredients

1 lb rotini pasta or gluten-free pasta of choice cooked according to the box
1 lb ground beef
1 med yellow onion chopped
3-4 cloved garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
2 1/2-3 cups pizza sauce or marinara sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese sub dairy-free cheese of choice
12-14 pepperonis
Garnish: Fresh basil and parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400F. Heat a large skillet or cast iron over medium/high heat. Add olive oil to the skillet. Once warm, add the onions and minced garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add in the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
To the ground beef, add the cooked pasta and pizza sauce. Mix with a spoon until combined. Cover the top of the mixture with mozzarella cheese and pepperonis.
Place the skillet in a 400F oven for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melty and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh chopped basil and parmesan cheese

Notes

Expert Tips

Alternatively, you can prep your ingredients in a skillet and transfer everything to an oven-safe casserole dish or baking dish if preferred.

Feel free to substitute your favorite pizza toppings– add peppers, Italian sausage, pineapple, bacon, black olives, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, Italian seasoning, and more!

Use whatever pasta shape you prefer– I like fusilli pasta, penne pasta, and rotini pasta the best. Even spaghetti noodles work well.

Serving Tips

Serve this baked pizza pasta recipe warm with sides like Caesar salad, fresh garlic bread, or by itself!

This recipe is also perfect for large groups or family gatherings, considering it’s filling, easy to double batch, and delicious from kid to adult!

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave and serve with your favorite garnishes.

Nutrition