Description
This Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta Bake combines rotini pasta, savory ground beef, pepperoni, and two types of cheese, all smothered in marinara sauce and baked to perfection. It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup (138 g) pepperoni slices
- 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook ground beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef. Season with salt and pepper and cook until no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain any excess grease.
- Combine ingredients: To the same skillet, add cooked pasta, pepperoni slices, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.
- Bake: Pour the mixture into the baking dish. Top with the remaining cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly. Let rest a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider adding chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture.
- Feel free to use whole wheat pasta for a healthier option.
- This dish is easily customizable; try different types of cheese or add vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg