Rigatoni, ground sausage, and tons of cheese make Pizza Casserole the perfect comfort food for hectic weeknights. This simple pizza casserole is excellent for pizza night!
– 12ozuncooked pastameasured dry - used rigatoni – 1lbground pork sausagemild or hot - or any ground meat – 1small yellow oniondiced – 1tablespoonItalian seasoning – 1tablespoonsmoked paprika – 4clovesgarlicminced – 24ouncespasta sauce – 1 1/2cuppizza sauce – 1teaspoonsaltor to taste – 3cupsmozzarella cheeseshredded – 24slicessmall pepperoni slicesor use fewer slices of large pepperoni – 1teaspoonItalian seasoning – Fresh basil for garnish
Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.Using non-stick cooking spray, spray a baking dish measuring 9 inches by 13 inches and set it aside.
1
As directed on the package, cook the pasta until it is al dente. Remove the water and set it aside. Set a big cast iron or nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, Italian seasoning, paprika, and ground sausage.
2
3
Cook until the meat is no longer pink. Use a wooden spoon to press it down, and cook it until it gets a little brown.
After approximately one minute of cooking, add the garlic that has been minced. Take it off the heat and put it in a separate location.
4
Pasta sauce and pizza sauce should be mixed together in a big bowl, and then salt and pepper should be added to taste.
5
Spread out 1 cup of the sauce evenly on the bottom of the baking pan that has been made. Then, add an even layer of pasta on top of the sauce.
6
It is recommended that the sausage mixture that has been cooked be added as soon as possible after that has occurred.
7
Proceed to the next step, which is to pour the leftover sauce over the meat, once the meat has been cooked through the previous steps.
8
At the very end of the meal, sprinkle some mozzarella cheese all over the surface of the dish. This will bring the meal to a successful conclusion.
9
Over the cheese, arrange the pepperoni slices in a layer, and then sprinkle the remaining one teaspoon of Italian seasoning on top of the pepperoni slices.
10
Put it in the oven and bake for thirty to forty minutes, or until the sauce and cheese melt.Add fresh basil on top, and serve right away.
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