Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

This hearty pizza casserole transforms all the flavors you love from a meat lovers pizza into a comforting pasta dish that satisfies the entire family. It combines the convenience of pasta with the indulgent toppings everyone fights over on a delivery pizza, creating something even better than the sum of its parts.

I created this recipe during a particularly busy sports season when we needed something hearty that could be made ahead and reheated. Now my teenagers actually cheer when they see me browning the meat mixture for this casserole.

Ingredients

• Ground beef: gives this dish its hearty foundation and familiar flavor that reminds you of your favorite pizzeria
• Italian sausage: adds depth and complexity with its blend of fennel and herbs
• Pepperoni slices: create those perfect little cups of savory goodness just like on a real pizza
• Crumbled bacon: brings smokiness and texture that elevates the entire dish
• Rotini pasta: catches all the sauce in its spirals making every bite perfectly sauced
• Three cheese blend: creates that stunning cheese pull moment we all crave
• Pizza sauce: ties everything together with its tangy tomato goodness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pasta Preparation:

Cook the rotini until just barely al dente, about one minute less than package directions. The pasta will continue cooking in the oven, so slightly undercooking it now prevents mushiness later. Drain thoroughly and set aside without rinsing to maintain the starchy exterior that helps sauce adhere.

Meat Mixture Magic:

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage together, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. This should take about 5 minutes until no pink remains. Pour off excess fat but leave about a tablespoon for flavor. Add the diced onions and garlic to the meat, sautéing until the onions become translucent and slightly caramelized at the edges, about 3 minutes. This builds your flavor foundation.

Create the Sauce:

Add your pepperoni and bacon to the skillet, allowing their flavors to meld with the other meats. Pour in the pizza sauce and sprinkle the dried herbs and red pepper flakes. Simmer everything together for 5 to 7 minutes, allowing the flavors to deepen and marry. The sauce should thicken slightly as it reduces.

Assembly and Baking:

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish. Combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce mixture directly in the baking dish, ensuring every piece of pasta gets coated. Spread the mixture evenly, then layer all three cheeses on top, covering the entire surface. The layering of different cheeses creates varying textures and flavors as they melt.

Final Touches:

Cover the casserole with foil, being careful not to let it touch the cheese. Bake covered for 20 minutes to heat everything through, then remove the foil and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese develops those beautiful golden spots and bubbly edges that signal perfection.

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The pepperoni is really the star ingredient here in my opinion. As it bakes, it releases its spicy oils into the sauce and creates those perfect little crispy edges everyone loves to find on a great pizza. My daughter actually counts how many pepperoni slices she gets in her portion.

Make-Ahead Magic

This casserole actually improves with time as the flavors meld together. You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours before baking. Simply cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, then remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to take the chill off. You may need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the covered baking time if starting from cold.

Freezer Friendly Features

This dish freezes exceptionally well both before and after baking. To freeze unbaked, assemble in a freezer safe container but do not add the cheese topping. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the cheese topping, and bake as directed, adding about 10 minutes to the covered baking time.

Sneaky Veggie Additions

While purists might object, this casserole makes a perfect vehicle for adding vegetables to your family's diet. Finely chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach can be sautéed with the onions and practically disappear into the sauce. For picky eaters, try grating zucchini or carrots into the meat mixture they cook down until virtually undetectable but add nutrition and moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute rotini with other pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or bowties. Choose one that holds sauces well.

→ Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

→ How do I make it spicier?

Add extra crushed red pepper flakes or sliced jalapeños to the meat mixture for a spicier kick.

→ Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Absolutely! Bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, or even spinach can be added to enhance the flavor and texture.

→ Can this be made vegetarian?

You can replace the meats with plant-based alternatives or load it up with veggies and extra cheese for a vegetarian version.