My favorite thing about Pizza Casserole is that it satisfies my pizza craving and pasta craving at the same time. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner: Gather the whole family together because it’s a meal everyone will love!
Easy Tips for the Best Pizza Casserole
This casserole is easy to make, but here are a few tips I’d like to share:
Cook the pasta al dente. That means it should still have a little bit of a bite. It should not be soft or mushy. Otherwise, it will overcook in the oven. Drain your sausage after cooking it to get rid of excess grease you won’t want in your casserole. The sauce brings most of the flavor, so use a marinara sauce you love, buy a high-quality one, or make your own.
Delicious Variations
Customize Pizza Casserole based on your preferences and what you have on hand. Here are some ways you can change up the recipe:
Sneak in some extra vegetables by adding artichoke hearts, broccoli, or spinach.Use another short pasta like rotini, rigatoni, and cavatappi.Make it a vegetarian dish by leaving out the sausage and pepperoni or use a vegetarian sausage alternative.
Add a Light Side + Wine
Pizza Casserole is a substantial dish, so it is best served with a light side, like roasted broccoli. It would pair well with a fruity Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Make it Ahead
Pizza Casserole is a great make-ahead dinner. You have two choices: Bake it ahead: Assemble and bake the casserole and let it cool to room temperature. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to five days. When you’re ready to serve it, remove the plastic wrap and cover it with foil. Reheat it in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes, until warmed through. Assemble now, bake later: This casserole can be assembled, refrigerated, and baked right before serving. Simply assemble the casserole, cover it with plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge for up to two days or in the freezer for up to three months. Since the casserole will be cold, you will need to bake it for about 10 minutes longer. If frozen, thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking.
How to Store Leftovers
Spoon leftovers into an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator or freezer. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to five days and in the freezer for up to three months. Reheat refrigerated leftovers in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. To reheat frozen leftovers, place it in an oven-safe baking dish and cover it tightly with foil. Bake it in a 350°F oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until warmed through.
More Casseroles with Pasta
Chicken Noodle Casserole Beef Noodle Casserole Cheesy Tortellini Casserole Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake
Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring them every 1 to 2 minutes, until evenly browned. You won’t need any oil since the sausages will release enough to keep them from sticking to the skillet. Turn the heat off. Tilt the skillet and use a spoon to scoop out and discard as much grease as possible.
