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A wooden spoon lifting a serving of pizza casserole from a baking dish topped with pepperoni, melted cheese, and vegetables.
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Pizza Casserole with Sausage and Pepperoni

This pizza casserole combines rigatoni, sausage, pepperoni, and vegetables with marinara and Italian blend cheese. Baked until bubbly and lightly browned, it’s a hearty pasta dinner with supreme pizza flavors.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 618kcal
Author Katie G.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 10 ounces dry rigatoni pasta
  • 1 pound ground sausage
  • 1 6-ounce package pepperoni
  • 1 3.8-ounce can sliced black olives, drained and rinsed
  • 1 4-ounce can sliced mushrooms, drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups shredded Italian blend cheese divided
  • 1 23.5-ounce jar marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. (190°C)
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, bell pepper, and onion. Sauté for about 2 minutes, until slightly softened but still with some bite. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  • Add the sausage to the skillet and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until cooked through and no longer pink. Remove from the heat and drain any excess grease.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and return the pasta to the pot.
  • Reserve a small amount of pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, and sautéed vegetables for topping. Add the remaining pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, and vegetables to the pasta with the marinara, sausage, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of cheese. Stir to combine.
  • Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of cheese over the casserole. Arrange the reserved pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, and vegetables on top.
  • Bake for 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned and the edges are bubbling. Remove from the oven and serve.

Notes

  • Pasta: Cook just to al dente. It will keep softening in the oven, so you don’t want it too soft to start.
  • Pepperoni: This recipe has plenty of pepperoni, so feel free to use less if you prefer a little more pasta and veggies in each bite.
  • Meat-only version: Leave out the vegetables if your family prefers just sausage and pepperoni.
  • Oil: Olive oil or avocado oil works in place of canola oil.
  • Make ahead: Assemble, cover tightly, and refrigerate for 1–2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator before baking. It may need extra baking time if it’s cold.
  • Leftovers: Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat to 165°F throughout.
Want more details? Scroll up for step-by-step instructions, tips and variations.

Nutrition

Calories: 618kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1612mg | Potassium: 669mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 537IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 3mg