Name: Quick and Easy Pizza Pasta Bake Recipe Everyone Will Love
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 12 oz rotini pasta; 1 lb ground beef; 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 cup sliced pepperoni

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Let’s be real—some nights call for a meal that hugs you back. That’s exactly what this pizza pasta bake does. It’s warm, cheesy, loaded with comforting flavors, and comes together without you hovering over the stove all night. We’ve got pasta. We’ve got marinara. And oh yes—we’ve got gooey cheese, plenty of pepperoni, and a crunchy top that’s half the reason to make it in the first place. I made this once for a lazy Sunday dinner, and my family practically licked the baking dish clean. The leftovers didn’t stand a chance. If you love quick and easy recipes, this one’s for you. It’s perfect for anyone who’s ever stood in the kitchen at 6:00 PM wondering what to feed a hungry crowd fast. It’s simple, hearty, and somehow always better the next day. Let’s cook it once and eat like royalty all week.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Pizza Pasta Bake Recipe
3) Ingredients for Pizza Pasta Bake
4) How to Make Pizza Pasta Bake
5) Tips for Making Pizza Pasta Bake
6) Making Pizza Pasta Bake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Pizza Pasta Bake
8) Try these Casserole recipes next!
9) Pizza Pasta Bake Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy nights.
It’s packed with hearty flavor and comforting texture.
You can prep it ahead, freeze it, and reheat it like a champ.
Easy to customize with different meats, veggies, or cheese combos.

2) Easy Pizza Pasta Bake Recipe

Let’s face it. Sometimes dinner sneaks up on us like a Monday morning. You blink and suddenly it’s 6 PM and everyone’s starving. That’s where a quick and easy recipe like this pizza pasta bake comes in clutch. It’s hearty, cheesy, and layered with flavors that remind you of your favorite slice—just baked into a cozy casserole dish.

When I first made this, I wasn’t expecting much. I had some leftover rotini, a jar of marinara, and a pack of pepperoni begging for attention. I tossed them together with some cheese, popped it in the oven, and let me tell you—pure comfort. Even my picky eater asked for seconds.

In this recipe, we keep things simple and budget-friendly. That’s the magic. Quick and easy recipes don’t need bells and whistles to shine. They just need flavor, a good bake, and a little crunch on top. This dish delivers on all counts.

3) Ingredients for Pizza Pasta Bake

12 oz rotini pasta: I like rotini because the twists catch all the cheesy sauce. Penne or rigatoni works too, but I’m loyal to the swirl.

1 lb ground beef: You want it browned and seasoned just right. If you’re feeling adventurous, try Italian sausage instead.

1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce: Use your favorite brand or homemade if you’re fancy like that. I just grab whatever’s on sale.

1/2 tsp garlic powder: Just enough to give the sauce that warm kick without overthinking it.

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning: This blend pulls it all together with hints of oregano and basil. Classic pizza flavors.

Salt and pepper to taste: Don’t forget this step. The seasoning really matters here.

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: Because gooey cheese is non-negotiable.

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds that salty, nutty depth we all secretly crave.

1 cup sliced pepperoni: I lay them on top for that crisp, pizza-like finish. You could toss some in the middle too if you’re wild like that.

4) How to Make Pizza Pasta Bake

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Let’s not skip this step unless you love scrubbing stuck-on cheese later.

Step 2. Boil the rotini. Cook it just under al dente—it’ll finish in the oven. Drain and set aside.

Step 3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 4. In a large bowl, combine pasta, meat sauce, 1.5 cups of mozzarella, and Parmesan. Stir until every noodle gets some love.

Step 5. Transfer to your baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top. Layer with pepperoni like a true pizza artist.

Step 6. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the top gets that golden bubbly finish. Let it sit for a few before serving—it’ll be lava hot.

5) Tips for Making Pizza Pasta Bake

One thing I’ve learned the hard way—don’t overcook the pasta. It will soak up the sauce as it bakes. Go for firm noodles out of the pot.

Use freshly grated cheese if you can. Pre-shredded works, sure, but it won’t melt quite as smoothly. The payoff in flavor and texture is worth it.

Want to boost the veggies? Toss in some sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers. I’ve even snuck in a handful of chopped kale. Nobody noticed. They were too distracted by the cheese pull.

6) Making Pizza Pasta Bake Ahead of Time

Here’s the beauty of this recipe—it’s make-ahead friendly. Mix it all together and stop right before baking. Cover and refrigerate up to two days.

If you’re freezing it, skip the pepperoni topping until you’re ready to bake. That keeps it from drying out. Wrap it well in foil and it’ll hang out in the freezer for up to a month.

When you’re ready to bake, add an extra 10–15 minutes to the oven time if it’s straight from the fridge. Easy peasy.

7) Storing Leftover Pizza Pasta Bake

Got leftovers? Lucky you. This reheats like a champ. Store it in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge for up to four days.

Microwave works fine, but I love tossing a slice in the oven or air fryer to crisp it back up. It’s shockingly good the next day—some might say better.

You can freeze leftovers too. Just portion it out first and wrap each chunk. That way, future-you gets a break on busy nights.

8) Try these Casserole recipes next!

9) Pizza Pasta Bake Recipe