Cheesy Spiral Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
Delight in this sumptuous Cheesy Spiral Pepperoni Pizza Casserole, a hearty dish that brings together the flavors of classic pizza in a convenient baked format. Featuring spiral pasta enveloped in a savory meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and topped with crispy pepperoni, this dish is perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. Serve it hot and watch it disappear as everyone digs in for a satisfying slice of cheesy goodness!
6
Servings
444
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
spiral shaped pasta
8 ounces (cooked according to package directions)
ground beef
1 pound (cooked and drained)
onion
1 medium (chopped)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
pizza sauce
15 ounces (canned)
garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
fresh parsley
1 teaspoon (minced)
egg
1 (beaten)
half-and-half
1 cup (as is)
Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (shredded)
Romano cheese
1/4 cup (shredded)
mozzarella cheese
2 cups (shredded)
pepperoni
1 (1 1/2 ounce) package (sliced)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Cook the spiral pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3
In a large Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat, seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir until the meat is browned and the onion is translucent. Drain excess fat.
4
Add the pizza sauce, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and fresh parsley into the beef mixture. Stir well and remove from heat.
5
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, half-and-half, shredded Parmesan cheese, and shredded Romano cheese until blended.
6
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the egg and cheese mixture until the pasta is thoroughly coated.
7
Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 3-quart baking dish and spread evenly.
8
Layer the beef mixture over the pasta, followed by the shredded mozzarella cheese and sliced pepperoni.
9
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
10
Uncover the dish and continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Nutrition Information
29g
Fat
28g
Carbs
27g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Spiral Pepperoni Pizza Casserole?
It is a hearty baked dish that combines spiral pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and crispy pepperoni to deliver the flavors of a classic pizza in casserole form.
How many servings does this pizza casserole make?
This recipe is designed to provide 6 servings.
What are the calories per serving for this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 444 calories.
What is the fat content in one serving?
There are 29 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
Each serving contains 28 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in this casserole?
This dish provides 27 grams of protein per serving.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
What type of pasta is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of spiral shaped pasta, cooked until al dente.
How much ground beef is required?
You will need 1 pound of ground beef, cooked and drained.
How should the onion be prepared?
One medium onion should be chopped and cooked with the beef until translucent.
What kind of sauce is used in the meat mixture?
The recipe uses 15 ounces of canned pizza sauce.
What seasonings are added to the beef mixture?
The beef is seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and minced fresh parsley.
What ingredients are used for the pasta coating?
The cooked pasta is coated in a mixture of one beaten egg, 1 cup of half-and-half, and 1/4 cup each of shredded Parmesan and Romano cheeses.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese for the top layer.
How much pepperoni is added to the top?
Use one 1.5 ounce package of sliced pepperoni.
What size baking dish is needed?
A greased 3-quart baking dish is required for this casserole.
Do I need to cover the casserole while baking?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes of baking.
How long does the casserole bake uncovered?
After the initial 20 minutes, uncover the dish and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes.
How do I know when the casserole is done?
The casserole is finished when the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 total ingredients required for this dish.
Can I use fresh parsley?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1 teaspoon of minced fresh parsley.
What types of cheese are included in this dish?
This recipe uses a blend of Parmesan, Romano, and mozzarella cheeses.
How much salt and pepper should I use?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, or adjust to taste.
What is the purpose of the egg in this recipe?
The egg acts as a binder when mixed with half-and-half and cheese to coat the pasta.
Are there any specific tags for this recipe?
Tags include casserole, pizza, baked dish, meat, pasta, cheesy, comfort food, and dinner.
Should I drain the fat from the beef?
Yes, the instructions specify to drain excess fat after browning the meat and onions.
Is the pasta cooked before going into the oven?
Yes, the spiral pasta should be cooked according to package directions before assembly.
How much garlic salt is needed?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of garlic salt.
How much Italian seasoning is included?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
What is the description of this dish?
It is a sumptuous, hearty dish perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners, featuring spiral pasta and classic pizza flavors.