Description
This Supreme Pizza Pasta Bake is a hearty and flavorful casserole combining the best elements of pizza with comforting pasta baked to perfection. Featuring a savory mix of Italian sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, and classic pizza seasonings, all tossed with farfalle pasta and topped with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices, it’s an easy-to-make, family-friendly dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms (bella or white)
- 1 lb Italian sausage (hot, sweet, or preferred variety)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 24 oz jar pasta sauce or marinara
- 3.5 oz can sliced olives (black or green), drained
- 8 oz mini farfalle pasta (or any small pasta shape)
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 15-28 slices pepperoni
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the pasta dish.
- Cook Mushrooms: Heat olive oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until they release their moisture and start to brown.
- Cook Sausage and Vegetables: Add the Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Stir in the chopped onions and green bell peppers. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is fully cooked and the vegetables are softened. Drain excess grease if there is any.
- Add Seasonings and Sauce: Sprinkle in the dried oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, stirring well to combine. Pour in the pasta sauce and add the drained olives. Stir everything thoroughly, reduce heat to low, and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the mini farfalle pasta according to package instructions but stop just shy of al dente to avoid overcooking during baking. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Transfer the drained pasta to a large bowl and stir in the sausage sauce until evenly coated.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Pour the pasta mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Arrange the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese in a single layer.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges.
Notes
- You can customize the sausage type based on your preference: spicy hot, sweet Italian, or even turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Any small pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or elbows can be substituted for farfalle.
- If you prefer, add extra vegetables like diced tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor.
- Leftover pasta bake stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheats nicely in the oven or microwave.
- For a crispier top, broil the bake for 2-3 minutes after baking but watch carefully to prevent burning.
