Make pizza night extra fun with this pizza casserole! It’s an easy pizza bake made with pasta, cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings.

pizza casserole in white casserole dish


 

This easy pizza casserole recipe is a simple pizza pasta bake made with penne pasta, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and all of our favorite pizza toppings.

The great thing about pizza is that there are so many different toppings. Personally, I’m a fan of supreme pizzas with green bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and black olives but my kids usually go for just plain pepperoni pizza.

Either way this easy casserole is delicious so go nuts and customize it with your family’s favorite toppings.

It’s a fun way to change up pizza night from the same old delivery pizza. We like to get creative with our pizza hotdish with French Bread Pizza SticksLasagna French Bread Pizza, and even Pizza Wontons.

We even have a keto recipe for pizza casserole!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Thank you!

pizza casserole ingredients

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Penne Pasta – We find these to work the best in this dish, but you can sub these out for any pasta of your choice.
  • Pizza Sauce – Your favorite brand of pizza, tomato, or marinara sauce.
  • Diced Tomatoes – You can use canned (drain them) or fresh.
  • Mozzarella Cheese – You can sub with with the cheese of your choice.
  • Parmesan Cheese – Try adding some shredded into your mix, but get some grated to sprinkle on top as well!
  • Your favorite pizza toppings – Depending on your taste, mix it up and have fun creating!

Other Variations

Pizza is possibly the most customizable dish on the planet! If you can name it, it can go in a pizza. We recommend trying some of these in your pizza pasta casserole recipe.

Meats – Pepperoni, turkey pepperoni, ham, bacon, ground beef, ground turkey, diced or shredded chicken, sausage, Italian sausage, diced or shredded steak, salami, hot soppressata, prosciutto, meatballs, or buffalo chicken. You can even try seafood like crab meat or shrimp!

Vegetables – Fresh garlic, basil, green peppers, black and green olives, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, red onion, spinach, artichokes, jalapeños, pepperoncini, or arugula. We are not trying to start a fight, but you can even try pineapple!

Cheeses – Mozzarella, parmesan, feta, cheddar, Mexican blend, goat cheese, gouda, gruyere, ricotta, Romano, blue cheese, toma, parmigiano reggiano, provolone, Monterey jack, or pepper jack. Basically any cheese you desire!

Seasonings – Basil, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, oregano, pre-made pizza seasoning, rosemary, or even paprika! You can use seasonings to give your dish any flavor you desire.

mixing ingredients to make pizza casserole

How to Make Pizza Casserole

Step 1 – Preheat – Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 

Step 2 – Cook pasta – In a large pot of boiling water, cook penne pasta until al dente. About 10 minutes. When finished, drain pasta and pour into a large bowl.

Step 3 – Cook meat – While pasta boils, brown your Italian sausage, ground beef, or any other meat you have chosen which needs to be cooked in a skillet. Cook fully and drain grease.

Step 4 – Add other ingredients – To the bowl with your pasta, stir in 2 cups of mozzarella, pizza sauce, diced tomatoes, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, cooked Italian sausage, and any other ingredients you have chosen. Toss until fully combined.

unbaked pizza casserole in white casserole dish

Step 5 – Add to pan – Grease a 13×9-inch casserole dish and pour mixture into it.

Step 6 – Add toppings – Top with remaining cheese, pepperonis, black olives, Parmesan cheese, and any other toppings you have chosen. 

Step 7 – Cover and bake – Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is fully melted. 

spoonful of pizza casserole

Make It Ahead of Time

Just like our sausage baked ziti or chicken alfredo lasagna roll ups this simple casserole is the perfect make ahead meal.

Unbaked – Assemble casserole and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, unwrap and then cover with foil and bake according to the recipe instructions.

Baked – Bake the pizza casserole according to the instructions and let it cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to serve, cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake according to the recipe instructions.

pizza casserole in a white casserole dish

How to Freeze a Pizza Pasta Bake

This pasta casserole is perfect for making ahead and freezing for later. Follow the recipe as written and bake it. Once the casserole has finished baking, let it cool completely then remove it from the casserole dish. Place it on foil to wrap it up or place it in a freezer safe plastic container.

Before you use the casserole let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

When you are ready to bake the casserole, unwrap it and place it back in the casserole dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes – 45 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through.

To make this process easier I highly recommend baking the casserole in a disposable aluminum pan. That way you can wrap the whole thing up to store in the freezer and then reheat the casserole right in the pan when you are ready to eat.

Looking for More Easy Pizza Ideas?

Like this recipe?
Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest for more recipes like this.

Servings: 10
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Pizza Casserole

This easy Pizza Casserole is a delicious pizza bake that is a fun twist on family pizza night!
pizza casserole in white casserole dish
Print Recipe
4.03 from 47 votes

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces Penne Pasta
  • 4 cups Mozzarella Cheese, divided
  • 28 ounces Pizza Sauce
  • 8 ounces Diced Tomatoes
  • 2 ounces Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 cup Pepperonis
  • 4 ounces Green Peppers, diced
  • 2 ounces Onion, diced
  • 4 ounces Mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, ground
  • 1 ounce Black Olives

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 
  • In a large pot of boiling water cook penne pasta until al dente.
  • While pasta cooks brown Italian sausage in a skillet. Cook fully and drain grease.
  • Drain pasta and pour into a large bowl.
  • Add 2 cups mozzarella, pizza sauce, diced tomatoes, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and cooked Italian sausage. Toss until fully combined.
  • Grease a 13×9 inch casserole dish and pour mixture into it.
  • Top with remaining cheese, pepperonis, black olives and Parmesan cheese. 
  • Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is fully melted. 
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 573kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 85mg, Sodium: 1339mg, Potassium: 630mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 771IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 336mg, Iron: 3mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pizza casserole, pizza casserole recipe, pizza hotdish, pizza pasta bake, recipe for pizza casserole
Handwritten signature for Kat & Melinda