Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake
Transform your leftover pizza toppings into a delicious, comforting dish with this Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake! This recipe combines the rich flavors of Italian sausage, pepperoni, and savory mushrooms with tender egg noodles, all smothered in a creamy spaghetti sauce and bubbling with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for using up those extra toppings and ideal for family dinners, this hearty bake is sure to please pizza lovers of all ages. Serve hot for a delightful meal that zests up your regular pasta night!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Egg Noodles
3 cups (uncooked)
Oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Butter
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Ground Italian Sausage
1 lb (pre-cooked or raw)
Mushroom
1/4 cup (chopped)
Yellow Onion
1/2 (chopped)
Garlic
2 tablespoons (minced)
Spaghetti Sauce
1 (26 ounce) jar (for layering)
Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup (shredded, divided)
Pepperoni
5-10 slices (to top)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
2
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3
In a large skillet, heat the butter and oil over medium heat until melted.
4
Sauté the chopped mushrooms, onions, and minced garlic until they soften, approximately 4-5 minutes.
5
If using pre-cooked Italian sausage, crumble the sausage into the skillet and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until heated through. If using raw sausage, add the sausage to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked, stirring occasionally.
6
In a 2-quart casserole dish, spread 2 tablespoons of spaghetti sauce on the bottom.
7
Layer half of the cooked egg noodles over the sauce, followed by half of the sausage mixture, half of the remaining spaghetti sauce, and ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
8
Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, sausage mixture, the rest of the sauce, and another ½ cup of mozzarella cheese.
9
Top with slices of pepperoni distributed evenly across the surface.
10
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
11
Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your cheesy pizza pasta bake!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake?
It is a comforting casserole dish that combines the flavors of a pizza—such as Italian sausage, pepperoni, and mozzarella—with tender egg noodles and spaghetti sauce.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What kind of noodles are used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for 3 cups of uncooked egg noodles.
How should the egg noodles be cooked?
Boil them in a large pot of water according to package instructions until they are al dente.
Can I use raw Italian sausage?
Yes, if using raw sausage, add it to the skillet and cook until it is browned and fully cooked.
How do I prepare the skillet for sautéing?
Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat until the butter is melted.
Which vegetables are sautéed in the skillet?
Chopped mushrooms, onions, and minced garlic are sautéed for approximately 4-5 minutes until softened.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of minced garlic.
What size jar of spaghetti sauce is required?
You will need one 26-ounce jar of spaghetti sauce for layering.
What size casserole dish should I use?
A 2-quart casserole dish is recommended for this bake.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the dish?
Spread 2 tablespoons of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish before adding any noodles.
How is the casserole layered?
Layer half the noodles, half the sausage mixture, half the sauce, and half the cheese, then repeat those layers once more.
How much mozzarella cheese is used in each layer?
Use 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese per layer, for a total of 1 cup.
When do I add the pepperoni?
Distribute the pepperoni slices evenly across the surface of the casserole after the final layer of cheese is added.
Should the dish be covered while baking?
Yes, cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil for the first 25 minutes of baking.
How long does the dish bake uncovered?
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is approximately 40 to 45 minutes.
How do I know when the bake is done?
The dish is ready when the cheese on top is fully melted and bubbling.
Should I serve the pasta bake immediately?
It is best to let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.
Can I use pre-cooked Italian sausage?
Yes, crumble the pre-cooked sausage into the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
What kind of onion should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 of a yellow onion, chopped.
How many pepperoni slices are needed?
You will need approximately 5-10 slices of pepperoni to top the dish.
What is the preparation for the mushrooms?
The mushrooms should be chopped before being sautéed with the onions.
Is this recipe good for using up leftovers?
Yes, it is specifically designed to transform leftover pizza toppings into a new meal.
What is the total amount of mozzarella cheese used?
The recipe requires 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, divided.
Can I substitute other pasta for egg noodles?
The recipe uses egg noodles, but other pasta types could likely work if cooked until al dente first.
Do I need to grease the casserole dish?
The instructions do not specify greasing, as 2 tablespoons of sauce are spread on the bottom instead.
Is the sausage crumbled or sliced?
The instructions state to crumble the sausage into the skillet.
How many layers of sausage mixture are there?
The sausage mixture is split into two layers throughout the casserole.
What makes this dish taste like pizza?
The combination of Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and tomato-based sauce provides the classic pizza flavor profile.