pepperONLY have eyes for pasta? SAME. If you’re torn between ordering a pizza or making pasta for dinner, why not have both in one delicious dish? Enter: Pizza Pasta Bake — a cheesy, saucy, bubbling dream that combines the best of both worlds.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry crew, meal-prepping for the week, or just craving comfort food, this pasta bake brings BIG flavor with minimal effort. It’s nostalgic, satisfying, and easy to customize with your fave pizza toppings. So let’s get into this cheesy masterpiece!
🧀 Why You’ll Love This Pizza Pasta Recipe
This dish is basically a pizza party in a pan. It’s got that savory, pepperoni-kissed flavor, melty cheese pulls, and the hearty bite of perfectly cooked pasta. Oh, and did we mention it’s baked to bubbly, golden perfection?
✅ One-pan meal with big pizza energy
✅ Crowd-pleasing, kid-approved, and adult-devoured
✅ Customizable with your fave pizza toppings
✅ Freezer-friendly for easy weeknight wins
🔑 Focus Keyphrase: Pizza Pasta
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🛒 Ingredients for Pizza Pasta
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this melty, meaty, mozzarella-loaded pasta bake:
- ½ lb pasta (penne, rigatoni, rotini, or shells work great)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- ¾ cup pepperoni, sliced or chopped
- 1 cup tomato sauce (your fave marinara or pizza sauce)
- ½ cup milk (whole milk is ideal for creaminess)
- Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Reserved pasta water (about ¼ cup)
- Extra mozzarella and pepperoni for topping
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley, more Parm
👩🍳 How To Make Pizza Pasta (Step-by-Step)
1. Cook the Pasta
Boil a large pot of salted water. Add ½ lb pasta and cook until al dente—you want it slightly firm since it’ll finish cooking in the oven. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain.
🍝 Al dente = not mushy = perfect baked texture.
2. Sauté the Good Stuff
In a large oven-safe skillet or pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic, ½ diced onion, and ¾ cup pepperoni. Cook for 4–5 minutes, or until the pepperoni gets slightly crispy and releases those mouthwatering oils.
🔥 Tip: If you’re a crispy pepperoni lover, let them cook a minute longer!
3. Build the Sauce
Pour in 1 cup tomato sauce and ½ cup milk, stirring to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
4. Season It Up
Sprinkle in salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to taste. Stir it all together and let the sauce thicken slightly, about 3–5 minutes.
🧂 Feel free to throw in some Italian seasoning or chili flakes if you like it spicy!
5. Add the Cheese
Turn the heat to low and mix in ½ cup mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan until melty and well combined.
🧀 You’re halfway to cheesy heaven!
6. Combine Pasta & Sauce
Add your cooked pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water into the sauce. Mix until every noodle is coated in cheesy, saucy goodness.
7. Top & Bake
Sprinkle the top with extra mozzarella cheese and arrange some extra pepperoni slices on top (because more is more!). Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
🔁 Want a crispier top? Broil for the last 2 minutes, but keep an eye on it!
8. Garnish & Devour
Pull it out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes, then top with more Parmesan and a sprinkle of chopped parsley for that perfect finishing touch. Serve hot and enjoy those pizza-pasta vibes! 😍
🍕 Topping Variations & Ideas
This dish is super versatile. You can customize it just like a pizza!
- Veggie Lovers: Add bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, or spinach.
- Meat Feast: Toss in cooked sausage, bacon, or shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Hawaiian Twist: Add ham and pineapple (no judgment here!).
- Margherita Style: Skip the meat and use fresh mozzarella, basil, and cherry tomatoes.
🧊 Storage, Reheating, and Meal Prep Tips
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze in a covered dish or container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave or oven. Add a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce if needed.
🥶 Pro Meal Prep Tip: Make a double batch and freeze one for a future lazy dinner win!
📝 Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever stood in front of the fridge debating between pizza or pasta—this is your answer. This Pizza Pasta Bake is the best of both: hearty, cheesy, pepperoni-packed comfort food that hits all the right notes.
Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner, a Friday pizza party, or reheating it for lunch, it’s always a hit. And it’s SO easy. Seriously—you might want to keep pepperoni in your fridge just for this!