1. Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook Pasta:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Cook Meat and Vegetables: a. In a large skillet, brown the ground Italian sausage or beef over medium heat until fully cooked. b. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
4. Combine Sauce and Seasonings:
- Stir in pizza sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for a few minutes.
5. Assemble the Casserole: a. In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta. b. Spread half of the meat and vegetable mixture over the pasta. c. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. d. Add a layer of half the pepperoni slices. e. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, meat mixture, mozzarella, Parmesan, and pepperoni.
6. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
7. Garnish and Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
8. Enjoy:
- Slice and serve the Pepperoni Pizza Casserole. It’s a delightful and convenient way to enjoy the flavors of pizza in casserole form!
This Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is a crowd-pleaser and great for family dinners or gatherings. Feel free to customize it with your favorite pizza toppings.