Description
This Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish combining al dente rotini pasta, savory ground beef, zesty pepperoni, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses baked to golden perfection in a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for a satisfying family dinner, this baked pasta casserole is easy to prepare and delivers a delicious, cheesy, and hearty meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastas and Meats
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions, drained
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup (138 g) pepperoni slices
Cheeses
- 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
Other Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook ground beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is no longer pink and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
- Combine ingredients: To the skillet with the cooked beef, add the cooked rotini pasta, pepperoni slices, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until well combined. Then, transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Cooking the pasta al dente prevents it from becoming mushy after baking.
- Drain excess grease after cooking ground beef to avoid a greasy bake.
- Feel free to substitute pepperoni with cooked sausage or omit for a milder flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through before serving.
