Description
Indulge in a creamy, cheesy delight with this Deliciously Cheesy Pizza Pasta Casserole. The rich, velvety texture of the cheese melds perfectly with the tender pasta, while the savory toppings burst with flavor, creating a comforting dish that warms the soul.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 12 oz penne pasta, cooked al dente
- Cheese: 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Meat: 1 cup cooked Italian sausage, crumbled
- Vegetables: 1 cup bell peppers, diced; 1 cup mushrooms, sliced; 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- Tomato Sauce: 2 cups marinara sauce
- Seasonings: 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, Italian sausage, bell peppers, mushrooms, red onion, and seasonings.
- Stir in 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese until well mixed.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the sausage and add more vegetables like zucchini or spinach.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: main-dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the casserole
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 grams
- Sodium: 800 milligrams
- Fat: 20 grams
- Saturated Fat: 10 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 50 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 20 grams
- Cholesterol: 50 milligrams
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