This baked pepperoni pizza spaghetti casserole recipe is easy to make with fewer than 10 ingredients, quick to prepare, super cheesy, and the ultimate weeknight family dinner meal!
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This is my favourite Sunday night dinner recipe! It's super simple to make, incredibly comforting, and my boyfriend and I love having leftovers to heat up during the rest of the week easily!
We're big pizza and pasta lovers over here (I am half Italian after all!), so this pepperoni spaghetti bake is always delicious and fun to make.
If you love pasta casseroles, then you should also check out my baked spaghetti casserole with cream cheese, this cheesy Italian sausage pasta bake, and this Italian sausage tortellini casserole!
Why this is the best recipe
- Quick and Easy: It's an easy, foolproof recipe that's quick to assemble with simple ingredients.
- Fun to Make: If your family finds making homemade pizza fun, then your kids will love this spaghetti pizza bake even more and find it extra fun to put pepperoni slices on top of spaghetti!
- Lots to Share: It makes a 9x13 baking dish worth, so it's perfect for family dinners or Sunday night meal prep with leftovers for the rest of the week!
Ingredients
- Spaghetti
- Ground Pork
- Marinara Tomato Sauce
- Ricotta Cheese
- Egg
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Pepperoni
See the recipe card below for the ingredient measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 - Prepare: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
Step 2 - Make the meat sauce: Heat a large pan over medium heat and add one tablespoon of olive oil. Add the ground pork and break it down into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon, cooking it until no longer pink. Reduce the heat to low and mix in the marinara. Cover and simmer while proceeding to the next steps.
Step 3 - Cook the pasta: Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions (cook for a couple of minutes less than specified). Once cooked, strain the noodles and turn off the heat for the sauce. Then, transfer the noodles to the sauce and mix them until they are fully coated.
Step 4 - Assemble the casserole: Transfer half of the pasta to the greased 9x13 baking dish. Combine and mix the ricotta cheese and egg in a bowl until smooth, and then spread an even layer over the pasta. Transfer the remaining pasta on top of the ricotta layer and then sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices.
Step 5 - Bake the casserole: Bake the casserole uncovered for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is slightly golden. Serve with parmesan cheese as desired.
Storage and Leftovers
Store any leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or tin foil (once room temperature) in the fridge for up to 1 week. To reheat, place uncovered in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes or until warm or place on microwave-safe plates and microwave at 20-second intervals until warm. You can also freeze in airtight containers for up to 1 month in the freezer.
Helpful Tips
- It's recommended to cook the pasta noodles a couple of minutes less than the package specifies because after boiling the noodles, the casserole needs to bake. If the noodles are too soft after boiling, the casserole may have an undesireable mushy texture.
- You may consider using the "smooth" version of ricotta rather than the "traditional" type as it will be a bit easier to spread.
- Any type of pasta noodle works in this recipe, so if you're not feeling spaghetti, use another type such as penne, rotini, shells, etc.!
Frequently Asked Questions
It's recommended because it helps bind the cheese together, preventing it from becoming watery or runny while baking.
You can certainly swap the ground pork with ground beef instead. Ground chicken and/or ground turkey are other options you may consider substituting if you'd like as well.
📖 Recipe
Baked Pepperoni Pizza Spaghetti Casserole
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
This baked pepperoni pizza spaghetti casserole is easy to make, super comforting, and the ultimate family dinner recipe!
Ingredients
- Ground Pork: 1 lb
- Marinara: 24 oz or make your own tomato sauce
- Spaghetti: 12 oz
- Ricotta Cheese: 1 cup
- Egg: 1
- Mozzarella Cheese: 2 and ½ cups, shredded
- Pepperoni: Approx. 30 pieces or more as desired
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- Make the meat sauce: Heat a large pan over medium heat and add one tablespoon of olive oil. Add the ground pork and break it down into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon, cooking it until no longer pink. Reduce the heat to low and mix in the marinara. Cover and simmer while proceeding to the next steps.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions (cook for a couple of minutes less than specified). Once cooked, strain the noodles and turn off the heat for the sauce. Then, transfer the noodles to the sauce and mix them until they are fully coated.
-
Assemble the casserole: Transfer half of the pasta to the greased 9x13 baking dish. Combine and mix the ricotta cheese and egg in a bowl until smooth, and then spread an even layer over the pasta. Transfer the remaining pasta on top of the ricotta layer and then sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices.
- Bake the casserole: Bake the casserole uncovered for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is slightly golden. Serve with parmesan cheese as desired.
Notes
It's recommended to cook the pasta noodles a couple of minutes less than the package specifies because after boiling the noodles, the casserole needs to bake. If the noodles are too soft after boiling, the casserole may have an undesirable mushy texture.
You may consider using the "smooth" version of ricotta rather than the "traditional" type as it will be a bit easier to spread.
Any type of pasta noodle works in this recipe, so if you're not feeling spaghetti, use another type such as penne, rotini, shells, etc.!
Nutrition facts are for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any errors. We have tested the recipe for accuracy, but your results may vary. Please note that this is not medical or nutrition advice. Seek advice from a licensed professional if you need advice. We are not liable for any damages caused by your use of this content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: lunch, dinner
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: italian
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