This flavorful pizza casserole combines ground beef, macaroni and simple fresh ingredients for a cozy, family-friendly meal. With just 15 minutes of prep and 20–30 minutes in the oven, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner when time is tight. It’s budget- and kid-friendly, and adaptable for the crockpot if you prefer a slow-cooked version.
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Delicious pizza casserole
marilynpeight
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz. dry macaroni or 1 3/4–2 cups cooked
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3/4 cup diced onion white or yellow
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups marinara or pizza sauce see notes
- 4 oz. canned mushroom pieces, drained optional
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning see notes
- 3 oz. sliced pepperoni
- shredded mozzarella for topping
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees:
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Cook the pasta according to package directions. In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil and brown the ground beef. Add minced garlic and diced onion and cook until the onion is translucent. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
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When the beef is browned, stir in the marinara or pizza sauce, drained mushrooms (if using), parmesan cheese and seasonings. Simmer gently on low for 5–10 minutes to meld the flavors, then remove from heat.
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Drain the pasta and place it in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Scatter the pepperoni over the pasta, then pour the beef and sauce mixture evenly on top.
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Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the casserole. Bake on the center rack for 20–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and edges begin to brown. Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Storage notes and more appear below.
Notes
Pizza or marinara sauce is preferable because it’s thicker and clings to the pasta better than thinner pasta sauces. Adjust sauce amount to preference—this recipe uses about 4 cups for a saucier casserole.
More photos and tips are provided below for reference.
Try this casserole with homemade applesauce or cheddar bacon green beans. Serve Chunky M&M cookies or Amish chocolate chip cookies for a crowd-pleasing finish.
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Ingredients needed: pizza or marinara sauce, dry macaroni, shredded mozzarella, diced onion, garlic, salt, Italian seasoning (or fresh herbs), garlic salt, parmesan cheese, pepperoni and ground beef.
Note 1: Homemade marinara can be sweeter than store-bought sauces; adjust salt and garlic salt to taste.
Note 2: For extra texture, add 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms. Stir them into the beef and onion about 5 minutes before adding the sauce so they soften. If making this in a crockpot, you can skip sautéing the vegetables unless you prefer to do so.
Steps 1–2: Brown the beef in 2–3 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper; drain excess grease if needed. Add onions, garlic and optional mushrooms, then stir in sauce, seasonings, pepperoni and parmesan. Simmer about 10 minutes to develop flavor.
Sauce note: This recipe uses about 4 cups (a quart) of sauce for a saucier casserole; use more or less based on preference.
Step 3: Drain the cooked pasta into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Scatter pepperoni over the pasta, then pour the beef and sauce mixture on top.
Fresh herbs? Absolutely. In summer, chop parsley, oregano and thyme and add about a tablespoon into the beef mixture in place of dried Italian seasoning. Adjust to taste.
Step 4: Top with shredded mozzarella and bake 20–30 minutes until cheese is melted and edges begin to brown. Let cool slightly, then serve.
Freezer meal: This casserole freezes well. Prepare the meat sauce and pasta, combine, and place in a baking dish (or divide into smaller dishes). Top with mozzarella (and extra pepperoni if desired). Cool completely, cover tightly and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking and watch for condensation—wrap well to prevent freezer burn.
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