Description
Enjoy a cheesy, crowd-pleasing Pepperoni Pasta Bake that’s perfect for family dinners! This easy-to-make dish combines flavorful pasta, rich marinara, and layers of gooey cheese, making it a delightful meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 (6 oz) package pepperoni slices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until well combined.
- Assemble the Pasta Bake: In the greased baking dish, combine the cooked pasta and marinara sauce, stirring to coat evenly. Dollop the ricotta mixture over the pasta and gently stir to distribute.
- Add Cheese and Pepperoni: Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Layer half of the pepperoni slices over the cheese.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle remaining mozzarella, and arrange the remaining pepperoni slices on top. Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to customize the recipe by adding vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
- You can substitute the pasta shape according to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Pepperoni Pasta Bake, Cheesy Pasta Bake, Italian Pasta Casserole