Pizza Casserole

If you need an easy dinner to make ahead for a busy week, this Freezer Pizza Casserole is such a good one to keep in your back pocket. It has all the cozy, family-friendly flavors of pizza in an easy pasta bake made with ground beef, pepperoni, pizza sauce, and lots of melty cheese.

Next, try our Crockpot Cheeseburger Casserole!

Why You'll Love This Pizza Casserole

• You can customize it with your favorite pizza toppings
• It tastes like pizza in cozy casserole form
• It is easy to make with simple ingredients
• You can bake it now or freeze it for later
• It is great for meal trains, new moms, and busy weeknights
• Kids and adults both love it

 Key Ingredients

Some of the ingredients you will need for Pizza Casserole:

• Ground beef: I like using lean ground beef here so the casserole does not get greasy.
• Rotini pasta: Rotini works well because the sauce clings to all the twists and holds the cheesy pizza flavor in every bite.
• Pizza sauce: Using a little extra sauce helps keep the casserole from drying out, especially if you plan to freeze it.
• Mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella gives this casserole that classic pizza flavor and gooey texture.
• Pepperoni: Mini pepperoni works especially well because it spreads more evenly throughout the casserole, but chopped regular pepperoni works too.

How to Make Pizza Casserole

Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish, or two 8x8-inch dishes if you want to bake one now and freeze one for later.

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until just shy of al dente. Drain well and set aside.

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. If you are using diced onion, add it to the skillet and cook until softened. Drain off any excess grease.

Season the beef mixture with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Mix the casserole filling in a large bowl. Add the cooked pasta, seasoned ground beef, pizza sauce, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and most of the pepperoni. Stir until everything is evenly coated.

Assemble the casserole by spreading the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella over the top, then add the rest of the pepperoni.

Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.

Rest before serving for 5 to 10 minutes so the casserole sets up a bit and is easier to scoop.

Freezer Meal Instructions

To Freeze Before Baking

Assemble the casserole as directed, but do not bake it. Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Label and freeze for up to 2 to 3 months.

To Bake After Refrigerating

If the casserole has been thawed in the refrigerator overnight, bake at 350°F for 30 to 40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

To Bake From Frozen

Remove the plastic wrap and cover the casserole with foil. Bake at 350°F for 60 to 75 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the center is fully heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Expert Tips

• Cook the pasta just a little under al dente so it does not become too soft after baking.
• Use a little extra sauce if your pasta absorbs a lot of liquid.
• If you are freezing the casserole, a saucier mixture works better than a dry one.
• Top with extra mozzarella or Parmesan if you want a cheesier finish.
• For the best texture, let the casserole rest a few minutes before serving.

Variations

• This recipe is really easy to customize depending on what your family likes.
• Use half mozzarella and half Italian blend cheese for extra flavor
• Add cooked sausage for even more pizza flavor
• Stir in diced bell peppers or mushrooms
• Use turkey pepperoni if you want a lighter option
• Swap in ground turkey instead of ground beef
• Add black olives for a more classic supreme pizza feel

FAQs

Storage and Reheating

To store: Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat individual portions: Microwave until warmed through. To reheat a larger portion: Cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until hot throughout.

What to Serve With Pizza Casserole

More Easy Casseroles To Try!