Cheesy Beef Pizza Casserole
This Cheesy Beef Pizza Casserole is a delicious, hearty meal that combines the comforting flavors of pizza with the ease of a casserole. It’s loaded with ground beef, melty cheese, and classic pizza toppings – perfect for a family dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1 small onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 (14.5 oz) can pizza sauce or marinara sauce
– 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 1/2 tsp dried basil
– 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 3 cups cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or any pasta shape you like)
– 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni or cooked sausage (optional, for extra flavor)
– 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
– Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
1. **Preheat the oven**:
– Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Cook the beef**:
– In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
– Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes).
– Drain any excess fat, then stir in the pizza sauce, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
3. **Combine the pasta and sauce**:
– In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the beef and sauce mixture. Stir until the pasta is well-coated in the sauce.
4. **Assemble the casserole**:
– Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
– Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese over the top.
– If using, add the sliced pepperoni and black olives on top of the cheese layer.
– Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole, followed by the grated Parmesan.
5. **Bake**:
– Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
6. **Garnish and serve**:
– Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
– Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired.
– Serve hot and enjoy!
### Tips for Customization:
– **Add veggies**: Throw in sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions to add extra veggies to the casserole.
– **Make it spicy**: Add sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
– **For a low-carb version**: Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of regular pasta.
– **Meat options**: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for different flavors.
Enjoy!
This Cheesy Beef Pizza Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. It’s cheesy, savory, and packed with all the classic pizza flavors you love, making it a sure hit for any pizza lover!