Description

This Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring al dente rotini pasta combined with seasoned ground beef, pepperoni slices, and a rich blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, all baked in a savory marinara sauce until bubbly and golden. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, this easy-to-make casserole delivers a delicious twist on classic pasta bake recipes.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta & Meat

8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions, drained
1 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cheese & Sauce

1 cup (138 g) pepperoni slices
2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cook ground beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, kosher salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is no longer pink and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
Combine ingredients: To the skillet with the cooked ground beef, add the cooked rotini pasta, pepperoni slices, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
Add cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture in the baking dish to create a cheesy crust.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top. Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley for added color and flavor.

Notes

For extra spice, add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture before baking.
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a lighter version.
Make sure to cook the pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated within 3 days.
Use low-moisture mozzarella for best melting results.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes stovetop + 25 minutes baking
Category: Pasta Bake
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American