Ingredients
- 12 oz (about 3 cups) uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or macaroni)
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced (optional)
- Olive oil for greasing
Instructions
- Cook Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef (or sausage) with onion over medium heat until browned.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in marinara/pizza sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Assemble Casserole
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Spread half the pasta, then half the sauce mixture, sprinkle some mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Layer the remaining pasta and sauce. Top with mozzarella, Parmesan, pepperoni slices, olives, and peppers.
- Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
👉 Would you like me to also give you a quick 30-minute version of this recipe (less baking, more skillet-based) for busy nights?