Shannon's Favorite Pizza Casserole 🍕🍝

If you're looking for a comforting and crowd-pleasing dinner, look no further! This Pizza Casserole brings all the flavors of your favorite pizza into a warm and hearty dish. It's perfect for family dinners or potlucks and can be made ahead of time for easy serving. With layers of pasta, savory ground meat, and gooey cheese, this dish is sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Consider pairing it with a fresh green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal! 🥗🍞

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 small box of any shape pasta
• 1/2 pound of lean ground beef or chicken
• 1 onion, chopped or sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped (or assorted sweet peppers, sliced)
• 1 cup of sliced pepperoni sausage (or turkey for a lighter option)
• Small jar of black olives (optional)

For the Sauce

• 2 jars of pizza sauce
• 4 tablespoons of milk

For the Topping

• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.

3. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef or chicken with the onion, garlic, and green bell pepper until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.

4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat mixture, pepperoni, pizza sauce, and milk. Mix well to ensure that all ingredients are evenly coated.

5. Pour the combined mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.

6. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

7. Remove from the oven, top with shredded mozzarella cheese, and return to bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

🥄 For a little extra flavor, consider adding Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes to the meat mixture before combining with the pasta.

Variations

• Vegetarian: Substitute the ground meat with plant-based crumbles and add more vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach. This is a great way to pack in some extra nutrients! 🌱

• Spicy: Add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture for a spicy kick!

• Cheesy: Mix in a variety of cheeses like cheddar or provolone for a different cheesy flavor.

• Dump and Bake: For a super quick version, layer uncooked pasta with sauce and other ingredients in the casserole dish and bake until the pasta is cooked through (you may need to increase the bake time). Just be sure to check for doneness!

Enjoy this delightful Pizza Casserole that brings everyone to the table! 🍽️