This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Please read our disclosure policy.
Why I Love Pizza Casserole
Growing up, pizza night was always a big deal in our house. Since there were no pizza delivery restaurants close enough to our farm, we had to make our own homemade pizza, but I truly loved it. You could customize with whatever toppings your heart desired (I usually opted for supreme or taco), and the pizza was incredibly good!
Once I started cooking for myself, though, I realized that turning pizza into a baked casserole made it even more cozy and satisfying. This recipe brings all the flavors we love, savory sausage, bell peppers, and melted cheese, and puts them into a casserole that’s truly comforting in each bite.
Think of this recipe as a convergence of a pepperoni pizza and a supreme pizza. Beneath the pepperonis on top are mushrooms, bell pepper, sausage, onion, and so many spices. And what’s so great is you can make this exactly how you like it. So if you don’t like a certain vegetable, simply leave it out. This recipe makes a lot, so get ready for leftovers or a hungry crowd!
Here’s why you’ll love it:
- All the flavors of your favorite pizza in a cozy baked pasta.
- Great for feeding a family or making ahead for the week.
- Super customizable with whatever pizza toppings you like.
- Even better leftovers than pizza with a crust!
Pizza Casserole Ingredients
The ingredients for this casserole sound pretty familiar if you’ve made a homemade pizza (and that’s on purpose!):
- Fusilli pasta – The twists hold onto all that delicious sauce and cheese. You won’t find this in a traditional pizza recipe, but you’ll definitely want it in this casserole.
- Italian sausage – You can use a sweet or hot variety, whichever you prefer. Along with the pepperonis on top, this adds hearty flavor and classic pizza taste.
- Onion and garlic – Add the signature aromatics needed in any pizza sauce.
- Bell pepper – A bit of fresh veggie flavor and crunch.
- Cremini mushrooms – Earthy and rich, they add some additional texture and play into the “supreme pizza” idea.
- Kosher salt – Enhances every flavor.
- Red pepper flakes – Adds a bit of gentle heat (adjust the amount to your liking).
- Dried basil and dried oregano – Give the casserole that classic pizza seasoning.
- Strained tomatoes – Form the saucy base for the entire casserole.
- Mozzarella cheese – Shredded, melted, and gooey, just like you’d find on a pizza.
- Pepperonis – They’re optional, but they add that classic pizza taste.
The full amount of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make a Pizza Casserole
There are 5 steps to make this easy pizza casserole recipe:
Step 1: Cook the pasta – In a large stockpot, bring water to a boil and season with kosher salt. Add the pasta and cook to al dente according to the package instructions. Then, drain off the water.
Step 2: Brown the sausage – While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up, for about 6-8 minutes.
Step 3: Cook the vegetables – Add garlic, onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms to the skillet. Cook until softened, 4-6 minutes. Stir in the spices, salt, and tomatoes. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat.
Step 4: Assemble – Add the sauce to the pasta and mix. Then, pour half the mixture into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, then pour the remaining pasta on top. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese, then layer pepperoni on top.
Step 5: Bake – Cover the casserole and place it in the preheated 350°F oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the cover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbling throughout.
Variations and Substitutions
Casseroles are great because of their versatility. And since this is based on the idea of pizza, there are so many ways to alter this dish to make it what you like:
- Make it vegetarian – Leave out the sausage and pepperoni.
- Add more veggies – Try black olives, red peppers, banana peppers, or even zucchini and broccoli.
- Switch up the meat – Ground beef can be used in place of sausage. It contains slightly less flavor, so season it well. Ground or shredded chicken will also work well. For an even leaner dish, use ground turkey.
Follow These Tips
Serving
Let cool slightly before serving, but then scoop and serve warm. This dish is delicious all on its own, but it works beautifully with a green side salad or garlic bread. If you’re serving for guests, sprinkle a little chopped fresh basil or parsley on top for some added color.
Storage
Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Once assembled, this casserole can be frozen and baked later. Wrap the cooled casserole tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking. Since the casserole will be cold, the baking time will be longer, so add an additional 15-20 minutes.
Reheat: Heat individual servings in the microwave or reheat the whole dish in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Smaller noodles work great, and ones with a large surface area soak up the flavors nicely. I prefer fusilli because it’s a bit tighter pasta, but rotini and penne also work well.
Of course! The dish can be adjusted to whatever is most convenient for you. Pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce can also be used, but the recipe is pretty much making a pizza sauce with the addition of the spices and aromatics, so just be aware of that.
Yes, simply assemble the dish, then place it into the refrigerator or freezer. Bake within 24 hours for the best texture. If baking right from the fridge, add 15-20 minutes to the baking time. You can also let the casserole sit out on the counter for 20-30 minutes to come to room temperature.
More Weeknight Dinners
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!
Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 oz fusilli pasta
- 1 lb bulk Italian sausage (sweet or hot)
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms quartered
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
- 3 15-oz cans strained tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (about 4 oz) sliced pepperoni
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set it aside. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.12 oz fusilli pasta
- Cook the sausage: While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it into small bite-sized pieces, 6-8 minutes.1 lb bulk Italian sausage (sweet or hot)
- Cook the vegetables: Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Cook until the onion is soft, 4-6 minutes. Add the salt, red pepper flakes, dried basil, and dried oregano. Stir together, then finish with the strained tomatoes. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer, 3-4 minutes. Then, remove from the heat.1 medium onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 green bell pepper, 8 oz cremini mushrooms, 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp red pepper flakes, 2 tsp dried basil, 1 ½ tsp dried oregano, 3 15-oz cans strained tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
- Assemble: Pour the meat sauce onto the cooked noodles, add half of the pepperoni, and mix. Pour half of the noodles into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Add the remaining noodles. Finish with the remaining cheese and top with the remaining pepperoni.3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup (about 4 oz) sliced pepperoni
- Bake: Cover and bake 25 minutes. Remove the cover and continue to bake until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is beginning to brown, 15-20 minutes.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
This was delicious! My husband is a sausage and pepperoni pizza lover and this delivered a hearty and tasty meal. It is a versatile casserole in that you make it to your pizza liking. We skipped the peppers and mushrooms. I used pizza sauce because that’s what I had. Thank you for sharing this. We will be enjoying this again and again!
Sounds good!
Used up the rest of my homemade tomato sauce to make room for this year’s! Super easy, and really delicious! Kid approved!
Love this recipe can’t wait to try it on my Vali guests this weekend.
Looks wonderful!