Delicious and comforting, pizza pasta bake combines the flavours of pepperoni pizza and cheesy pasta bake into one irresistible family dinner.
Nothing beats an easy pasta bake recipe (you might also know this as a pizza pasta casserole).
Easy, tasty, and cheap. Perfect for midweek family dinners in my opinion! The recipe is easy to follow, and it tastes and smells absolutely delicious!
It’s a dinner that the whole family are sure to love.
*This post may contain affiliate links to products I find useful when making this recipe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.*
Pepperoni Pasta Bake – An Easy Midweek Dinner
My go-to pasta bake recipe is often chicken and chorizo, but this pepperoni pasta bake makes a great change. The kids love it for its pizza flavours, and I love it because it’s super quick and easy, and you don’t need tons of ingredients.
I use a pack of sliced pepperoni, the same as I would for homemade pizzas, and cut the slices into 4 with a pair of scissors.
You could buy smaller slices for your baked pepperoni pasta bake if you prefer and want to skip this step.
Ingredients for Pizza Pasta Bake
When I make my pepperoni pizza pasta bake recipe, I use:
Olive Oil Spray – Other cooking sprays or cooking oil are fine, too.
Fusilli Pasta
Red Onion
Garlic
Peppers – Any colour. I use a red pepper and a yellow pepper usually.
Pepperoni Slices
Tinned Chopped Tomatoes – For a simple pasta sauce/tomato sauce.
Mixed Herbs – Basil is another option.
Paprika
Black Pepper
Mozzarella
Can You Use Different Pasta?
Yes, I like fusilli or rigatoni for my easy pizza pasta bake because the spiral or ridges give the sauce somewhere to stick. You can use any pasta, though. I recommend cooking to packet instructions but for half of the time.
Can You Add Extra Vegetables?
Yes. I’ve gone for peppers and onion for the pizza theme. Things like mushrooms and spinach are also great.
Can You Use Different Cheese
Any grated cheese that melts or a combination of cheeses is fine. Mozzarella is common on pizzas and melts well.
Making Pizza Pasta Bake – Step-by-Step Instructions
This recipe for pizza pasta bake is super simple. You can also get full instructions and quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step One
Cook the pasta according to packet instructions but for half of the time.
Step Two
Drain and rinse in cold water to wash off any starch and stop it from sticking together. Leave to one side until needed.
Step Three
Mist a large flameproof and ovenproof dish with olive oil spray and warm over medium heat.
I use my cast iron Dutch oven. If you don’t have a dish that’s suitable for use on the hob and in the oven, start in a large frying pan and transfer to an ovenproof dish to bake.
Step Four
Add the onions and fry until soft, stirring often. This takes at least 5 minutes.
Step Five
Add the garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
Step Six
Add the peppers, stir well and cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring often.
Step Seven
If you are using small slices of pepperoni, add them straight away.
If they are larger, cut them into smaller pieces (I use scissors) and add.
Either way, retain a few pieces for the top.
Step Eight
Stir well.
Step Nine
Add the tinned tomatoes, a good pinch of black pepper, the paprika and the mixed herbs.
Step Ten
Stir well and bring to a simmer.
Step Eleven
Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often.
Step Twelve
Remove from the heat and stir in the pasta.
Step Thirteen
Top with the remaining pepperoni and sprinkle over grated mozzarella.
Step Fourteen
Bake at 180 degrees C (fan-assisted; I don’t preheat) for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.
What to Serve with Pizza Pasta Bake
I serve my pizza pasta bake with garlic bread and a basic side salad.
Leftover Pizza Pasta Bake
If you have any leftover pasta bake, you can freeze it or keep it in the fridge for the next day.
Disclaimer: While I aim to be as accurate as possible, any advice in this post, including but not limited to, cooking times, quantities, nutritional information and storage and freezing guidance is based on my own experience. Please use your own skills, knowledge and judgement, and get up to date food safety information.
Either way, remove from the cooking pan to cool quickly, and then keep in a sealed airtight tub.
To reheat, place in an ovenproof dish, sprinkle with water and bake for 20 minutes until piping hot.
Just remember, your pasta will be softer the second time.
Other Pasta Bake Recipes
If you like this pasta bake you might also enjoy these:
- Sausage and Baked Bean Pasta Bake
- Spicy Chicken Pasta Bake
- Chicken and Chorizo Pasta Bake
- Halloumi Pasta Bake
- Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
- Chilli Pasta Bake
Pizza Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- Olive Oil Spray
- 250 g Fusilli Pasta
- 1 Red Onion (Finely Diced)
- 3 Cloves Garlic (Crushed)
- 2 Peppers (Deseeded and Diced)
- 200 g Sliced Pepperoni (Chopped into smaller pieces if large)
- 800 g Tins Chopped Tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoons Mixed Herbs
- 1 Tablespoon Paprika
- Pinch Black Pepper
- 200 g Mozzarella (Grated)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to packet instructions but for half of the time.
- Drain and rinse in cold water. Leave to one side until needed.
- Mist a large flameproof and ovenproof dish with olive oil spray and warm over medium heat.
- Add the onions and fry for 5 minutes until soft, stirring often.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
- Tip in the peppers, stir well and cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in the pepperoni, saving a few slices to top.
- Add the tinned tomatoes, a good pinch of black pepper, the paprika and the mixed herbs.
- Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the pasta.
- Top with the remaining pepperoni and sprinkle over grated mozzarella.
- Bake at 180 degrees C (fan-assisted, I don’t preheat) for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.
Notes
- I cut my pepperoni into 1/4ers with scissors, keeping a few slices whole to top.
- I use a Cast-Iron Dutch oven, which is suitable for use on the hob and in the oven.
- Read the post above for more tips and advice.
Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.
