If you’re looking for a delightful dish that combines all your favorite pizza ingredients, then look no further! This pizza pasta bake is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner or a potluck gathering, this recipe is sure to be a hit!
A Family-Favorite Dinner Idea
I recently tried this recipe for dinner, and my family absolutely loved it! Instead of using traditional ground beef, I used Italian sausage for an extra burst of flavor. Additionally, I swapped out the usual egg noodles for angel hair pasta, which soaked up the flavors beautifully. To give it a true pizza taste, I substituted spaghetti sauce for pizza sauce. The result? A mouthwatering dish that will have you coming back for seconds!
Versatility at Its Finest
One of the great things about this recipe is its versatility. You can customize it to suit your taste preferences by adding your favorite pizza toppings. While the original recipe includes black olives, mushrooms, sausage, onions, and green peppers, feel free to get creative and experiment with other toppings. After all, a pizza is all about personalization!
Easy Preparation and Leftover Delight
Preparing this pizza pasta bake is a breeze. Start by boiling water and a pinch of salt for the pasta. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the bow tie pasta and cook until al dente. While the pasta is cooking, brown the ground meat in a separate frying pan. Once the pasta is done, drain it and set it aside.
Now comes the fun part! Take a lightly greased 9×13 inch pan and spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom. Next, add a layer of cooked pasta, followed by half of the sauce, a can of Italian-style tomatoes, garlic powder, and oregano. Layer the browned ground meat on top of the pasta, and then place sliced pepperoni on top. Finally, sprinkle a generous amount of Parmesan and Italian cheese blend over the dish and add any additional toppings you desire.
Pop the pan into a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and let it bake for 30 minutes. The result will be a bubbling and golden-brown pizza pasta bake that smells absolutely divine!
Dig in and Enjoy!
Once the pizza pasta bake is done baking, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, get ready to indulge in this irresistible dish. Serve it alongside a refreshing salad and some garlic toast for a complete meal.
Share the Goodness
The leftovers of this pizza pasta bake are just as mouthwatering as the first serving. In fact, I’ve often made it ahead of time and brought it to potlucks the next day in a slow cooker. It’s always a crowd-pleaser and a great way to share the deliciousness with friends and family.
So why not try this recipe today and see for yourself how delightful this pizza pasta bake can be? Get creative with your toppings, enjoy the easy preparation, and savor every bite of this hearty and flavorful dish. Happy cooking!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground meat
- 1 box of bow tie pasta (16 oz.)
- 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 2 oz. of sliced pepperoni
- 1 jar of pizza or spaghetti sauce (26 oz.)
- 1 can of chopped Italian-style tomatoes (10 oz.)
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 package of shredded Italian cheese blend (8 oz.)
- Other pizza toppings of your choice (e.g., black olives, sausage, onions, green peppers)
Instructions:
- Boil water and add a pinch of salt. Once boiling, add the bow tie pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a separate frying pan, brown the ground meat.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch pan and spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom.
- Add a layer of cooked pasta, followed by half of the sauce, the can of Italian-style tomatoes, garlic powder, and oregano.
- Layer the browned ground meat on top of the pasta, followed by the sliced pepperoni.
- Sprinkle Parmesan and Italian cheese blend over the dish, and add any additional toppings you desire.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
- Allow the pizza pasta bake to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy your delicious creation with a side of salad and garlic toast!
