Name: Baked Pizza Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage); 36 slices pepperoni, divided use; 1/2 onion, diced; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 14 ounce jar pizza sauce; 3 cups rotini pasta (measured before cooking); 3/4 cup water; 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided use

If you’re anything like me and love the cozy comfort of pizza combined with the hearty satisfaction of pasta, then buckle up because this Baked Pizza Pasta Recipe is going to become your new weeknight superstar. It’s got all those flavors you adore from your favorite pizza—melty mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, savory ground beef—all wrapped up with tender pasta and baked until bubbly and irresistible. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comfort Food Perfection: Combines the best of pizza and pasta into one easy, cheesy, meaty dish.
Family-Friendly: Everyone from kids to grown-ups can’t get enough of this hearty, filling meal.
Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples with no fancy extras, which makes it super accessible any night of the week.
Make-Ahead & Easy Leftovers: Holds up well in the fridge and even freezes beautifully for busy days.

A white square dish filled with a baked pasta casserole. The bottom layer consists of rotini pasta mixed with a brown meat sauce, visible through patches of melted white cheese on top. The top layer is covered with evenly spaced, round, red pepperoni slices that have a shiny, slightly oily texture. The dish sits on a white marbled surface, with a bunch of fresh green parsley blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Baked Pizza Pasta, easy baked pasta recipes, cheesy pizza pasta bake, weeknight dinner ideas, hearty Italian pasta dish

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this baked pizza pasta recipe come together like a perfect team. You get the savory richness of ground beef or sausage, the melty goodness of mozzarella, and the spicy zing from pepperoni. Rotini pasta is my go-to because those little twists trap sauce and cheese so well—you’ll notice every bite is packed with flavor.

Flat lay of a mound of uncooked rotini pasta, a small pile of raw ground beef, a halved white onion showing its layers, a single whole garlic bulb clove, a few sprigs of dried Italian seasoning herbs, a white ceramic bowl filled with bright red pizza sauce, a small white bowl of clear water, a generous heap of shredded mozzarella cheese, and a neat stack of round pepperoni slices arranged symmetrically, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Baked Pizza Pasta, easy baked pasta recipes, cheesy pizza pasta bake, weeknight dinner ideas, hearty Italian pasta dish

Ground beef or Italian sausage: I usually pick ground beef for a classic pizza flavor, but spicy Italian sausage kicks things up a notch if you’re feeling adventurous.
Onion: Adds a nice sweetness and depth. I like to dice it finely so it blends well into the sauce.
Garlic: Can’t skip it! Minced garlic brings that familiar warmth and aroma everyone loves.
Italian seasoning: This herb blend really ties everything together. If you have fresh herbs handy, even better!
Pizza sauce: Your favorite jarred sauce works perfectly here—pick one with robust flavor, or use homemade if you have it.
Water: Helps thin out the sauce a bit, so every noodle gets coated without being too thick.
Rotini pasta: The spiral shape is key for catching sauce and cheese, making each bite flavorful.
Mozzarella cheese: Divided between inside and on top—because nothing beats a big, gooey cheese pull.
Pepperoni slices: The star topping! I cut them in half so they spread evenly and crisp up during baking.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this baked pizza pasta recipe is how flexible it is. Feel free to swap out ingredients and make it your own—whether you’re craving something meaty, vegetarian, or even a little spicy heat.

Vegetarian: I once made this swapping out meat for sautéed mushrooms and chopped bell peppers, and honestly, nobody missed the meat at all.
Spicy kick: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or use spicy pepperoni to bring some heat.
Different cheese combos: I like mixing mozzarella with a bit of provolone or sharp cheddar for an extra-layered cheesy flavor.
Use different pasta shapes: Penne or ziti work just as well if you don’t have rotini on hand.

How to Make Baked Pizza Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook your pasta perfectly al dente

Start by boiling your rotini pasta according to the package directions, but aim to pull it out just a minute or two before it’s totally soft—al dente is key! This helps the pasta hold up better during baking and prevents a mushy outcome. Drain it well so it’s not waterlogged before mixing with sauce.

Step 2: Brown your meat with aromatics

While the pasta cooks, brown your ground beef along with diced onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning in a skillet. I always drain off excess grease afterward—it keeps the dish from getting too oily but keeps all that rich flavor intact.

Step 3: Mix sauce, pasta, meat & cheese

In a big mixing bowl, combine the pizza sauce with water just to thin it slightly. Toss in the cooked pasta, browned meat mixture, half of your mozzarella, and sliced pepperoni halves. Stir everything gently but thoroughly—the goal is to get all that sauce spread throughout.

Step 4: Bake for melty, bubbly goodness

Transfer your pasta mixture to a greased baking dish, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top, and arrange the rest of your pepperoni slices on the surface. Cover with aluminum foil to keep moisture in and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake another 5-10 minutes to get that cheese perfectly melted and slightly golden.

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Pro Tips for Making Baked Pizza Pasta Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cooking your pasta al dente means it won’t turn mushy during baking—this was a game-changer for me.
Use Water to Thin the Sauce: A small splash of water makes the sauce easier to mix without losing flavor or becoming too watery.
Pepperoni Slicing Trick: Cutting pepperoni in half spreads the flavor more evenly across the dish and crisps up nicely on top.
Cover While Baking: Keeping the dish covered for the majority of baking ensures melting cheese without drying out the pasta.

How to Serve Baked Pizza Pasta Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a white plate with a pasta dish made of three main layers: at the bottom, there are spiral rotini pasta with a light yellow color and a soft texture; the middle layer has crumbled cooked ground meat mixed with some melted cheese, showing a beige and light brown tone; the top layer is mainly slices of bright red pepperoni scattered over the pasta and meat, partially covered by more melted cheese with a creamy white color. There is also a yellow, round garlic bread piece placed behind the pasta on the plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Baked Pizza Pasta, easy baked pasta recipes, cheesy pizza pasta bake, weeknight dinner ideas, hearty Italian pasta dish

Garnishes

When I serve this, I love adding a sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or parsley to brighten up the rich flavors. A dash of crushed red pepper can also bring a bit of heat if your crowd likes spice, and a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil never hurts for a glossy finish.

Side Dishes

This baked pizza pasta pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed in tangy Italian dressing or some garlic bread for an extra dose of carb love. Roasted vegetables like zucchini or broccoli also balance the richness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I sometimes bake this in individual ramekins and garnish with a little fresh oregano sprig. It makes the dish feel special and personalized—plus, everyone gets their own mini pizza pasta skillet!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and find they keep well for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen over time, so sometimes I make it a day ahead on purpose!

Freezing

This baked pizza pasta freezes wonderfully—I portion it into individual containers for quick lunches or dinners. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep the best texture.

Reheating

I prefer reheating leftovers in the oven or toaster oven to revive that crisp top layer of cheese and pepperoni, but the microwave works fine too if you’re short on time—just cover loosely to prevent drying out.

FAQs

Can I make this baked pizza pasta recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Just swap the ground beef or Italian sausage for hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or even plant-based meat substitutes. I’ve done this before, and it’s surprisingly satisfying with the same melty cheese and pizza sauce flavors.
Is it okay to use store-bought pizza sauce?

Yes! Pick a quality pizza sauce with robust herbs and spices, or even marinara if that’s what you have. If you want, you can add a pinch of extra Italian seasoning to boost flavor, but the store-bought kind works perfectly for convenience.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You bet! You can assemble the pasta mixture and refrigerate it for a few hours or even overnight before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s coming straight out of the fridge.
What pasta works best for baked pizza pasta recipe?

I recommend rotini because its spiral shape catches sauce and cheese beautifully, but penne, ziti, or even rigatoni make great alternatives if that’s what you have on hand.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this baked pizza pasta recipe turns out—it’s exactly the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug after a long day. It’s comforting, easy, and makes for happy leftovers, too. When I first tried it, I was hooked immediately, and my family goes crazy for it every time. If you want a simple crowd-pleaser with minimal fuss but maximum flavor, you really can’t go wrong with this one. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to your new favorite comfort food!