Baked Pizza Spaghetti gives you all the taste of pizza mixed with the comfort of pasta. You’ll get layers of savory ground beef, tangy pizza sauce, rotini pasta, and plenty of melted mozzarella. Topped with pepperoni and baked until golden and bubbly, it’s perfect for family dinners or a casual get-together. The best part? Add any of your favorite pizza toppings to make it just the way you like!
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Baked Pizza Spaghetti
Imagine your favorite pizza flavors in a warm, comforting pasta bake. This dish brings together ground beef, rotini pasta, tangy pizza sauce, and lots of gooey mozzarella, all topped with crispy pepperoni. It bakes to golden, bubbly perfection, making it a hit at family dinners or relaxed get-togethers. Plus, you can make it your own with any toppings you love!
What You’ll Need to Make Cheesy Baked Pizza Spaghetti
- Ground beef or Italian sausage: 1 pound, browned and crumbled – provides a hearty, savory base.
- Onion: ½ diced onion – adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Garlic: 1 clove, minced – adds a rich, aromatic taste.
- Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon – enhances the pizza-inspired flavors with a blend of herbs.
- Pizza sauce: 14 oz jar – creates a rich, flavorful sauce for the dish.
- Water: ¾ cup – helps thin the sauce slightly to coat the pasta evenly.
- Rotini pasta: 3 cups, cooked – brings a tender, chewy texture to the casserole.
- Mozzarella cheese: 2 cups shredded – for a gooey, melty topping.
- Pepperoni: 36 slices, divided – adds classic pizza flavor to the casserole.
How to Make Cheesy Baked Pizza Spaghetti
- Cook the Pasta:Prepare 3 cups of rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown the Meat:In a skillet, brown the ground beef or sausage with diced onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning over medium heat. Drain any excess grease once cooked through.
- Prepare the Baking Dish:Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch or 11×7-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Mix the Ingredients:In a large bowl, combine pizza sauce and water. Stir in the cooked pasta, 1 ½ cups of mozzarella, cooked meat, and 20 slices of halved pepperoni. Mix well.
- Assemble the Casserole:Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared dish, smoothing the top. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella on top, and arrange the remaining pepperoni slices.
- Bake the Casserole:Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
More main dishes:
How to Serve and Store Baked Pizza Spaghetti
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Sprinkle Parmesan or red pepper flakes on top for added flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, reheating portions in the microwave or oven.
Helpful Notes
- For extra spice, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the sauce.
- Customize with toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives to suit your taste.
Variations
- Substitute ground beef with Italian sausage for a spicier flavor.
- Add mushrooms or bell peppers for extra veggies.
- For a vegetarian option, skip the meat and add more vegetables like spinach or zucchini.
Pizza Pasta Casserole
Baked Pizza Spaghetti is the perfect combination of pizza and pasta, with ground beef, pepperoni, and lots of mozzarella cheese baked into a deliciously cheesy dish.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage.
- ½ onion diced.
- 1 clove garlic minced.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
- 14 oz jar pizza sauce.
- ¾ cup water.
- 3 cups rotini pasta measured before cooking.
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese divided.
- 36 slices pepperoni divided.
Instructions
Instructions
- Cook 3 cups of pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
- Brown and crumble the ground beef with onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess grease.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine pizza sauce and water. Add the cooked pasta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, cooked ground beef, and 20 slices of halved pepperoni. Stir well.
- Spray a 9×9-inch (or 11×7-inch) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour in the pasta mixture.
- Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and place the remaining pepperoni slices on top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
