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Easy Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake (One-Pot Version)

A fork lifts a cheesy portion of pizza pasta bake, showing extreme cheese pull and melted mozzarella topping.
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Make this simple, cheesy pizza pasta bake for a quick weeknight dinner that tastes like your favorite pizza. This recipe uses one pot for easy cleanup.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound dry pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef (optional)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 cup water or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. If using meat, cook the sausage or ground beef in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the marinara sauce, water or broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Add the dry pasta to the simmering sauce. Stir well to coat. Cover the skillet and cook over medium-low heat for about 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is nearly tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the pepperoni, cubed cream cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese until the cream cheese melts and the mixture is creamy.
  7. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
  8. Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top.
  9. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a one-pot stovetop version, skip steps 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. After the pasta is cooked in the sauce (step 5), stir in the pepperoni, cream cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella until melted. Serve immediately.
  • Customize this dish by adding sliced mushrooms or bell peppers along with the onion in step 3.
  • You can prepare this casserole completely, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. Add 10 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://fooddexterity.com/easy-pizza-pasta-bake-one-pot-dinner/