Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Pizza Pasta Bake, a delicious combination of cheesy pasta and savory pizza flavors. Each bite offers a delightful blend of tender pasta, rich pizza sauce, and gooey mozzarella, making it perfect for family dinners or movie nights. Customize with your favorite ingredients for a dish that brings smiles and satisfied appetites to the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups penne pasta
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- 1 cup diced onions (optional)
- 1 cup cooked protein (ground beef, sausage, or pepperoni) – optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the penne until al dente; drain.
- In a skillet, sauté any optional cooked protein until warmed through.
- In the pot with pasta, mix in pizza sauce and Italian seasoning until well combined.
- Gently fold in vegetables and combine thoroughly.
- Layer half the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish, sprinkle with half the mozzarella, then add remaining pasta and top with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Feel free to substitute different types of pasta or add your favorite vegetables for variety. For a spicy kick, consider adding red pepper flakes or jalapeños. This dish stores well; keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days.