Description
Mama’s Pizza Casserole is a comforting and hearty baked pasta dish that combines ground beef, classic pizza flavors, and gooey melted cheese. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for family dinners and features layers of seasoned meat sauce, tender egg noodles, mozzarella, pepperoni, and Parmesan cheese baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can pizza sauce
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta & Cheese
- 2 cups uncooked egg noodles
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Toppings
- Chopped bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Black olives
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess grease to keep the dish from being oily.
- Add Sauces and Seasoning: Stir in the pizza sauce, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning into the beef mixture. Let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain well to remove excess water.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles with the beef and sauce mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing well to evenly coat the noodles.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the noodle and meat mixture into the dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the layer, then add half the pepperoni slices. Repeat with the remaining noodle mixture, mozzarella, pepperoni, and finish by sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes after baking to firm up before serving. This helps the layers set and makes it easier to slice and serve.
Notes
- Ground turkey or vegetarian meat substitutes can be used instead of beef for a lighter or meat-free version.
- Customize your casserole by adding favorite pizza toppings such as diced green bell peppers, mushrooms, or black olives.
- For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
