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Meat Lover’s Pizza Casserole
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Meat Lover’s Pizza Casserole

This hearty Meat Lover’s Pizza Casserole transforms all the flavors of your favorite pizza into a rich, cheesy, meaty baked pasta dish. With layers of bow tie pasta, sausage, beefy sauce, ham, pepperoni, and loads of gooey cheese, this comfort food classic is perfect for big family dinners, potlucks, or freezer meals. Easy to assemble and freezer-friendly, it's the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Casserole, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked pasta with pepperoni, cheesy meat casserole, meat lovers casserole, pizza pasta bake
Servings: 10
Calories: 311kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb bow tie pasta
  • 1 lb mild pork sausage
  • 2 26 oz jars spaghetti sauce
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 1 lb cooked ham cubed
  • Sliced pepperoni amount as desired
  • 3 8 oz bags shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 6 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp dried oregano

Instructions

  • Cook the bow tie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Rinse under cold water, drain, and set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage with diced onion, garlic, and oregano until the sausage is browned and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess grease and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of spaghetti sauce over the bottom of the dish.
  • First layer: Add 1/3 of the pasta. Top with 1/3 of the remaining spaghetti sauce, one bag of mozzarella, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Evenly spread the sausage mixture over the cheese.
  • Second layer: Add half of the remaining pasta, then top with half of the remaining sauce, another bag of mozzarella, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Scatter cubed ham evenly over the top.
  • Final layer: Add the last of the pasta, the remaining sauce, final bag of mozzarella, and remaining Parmesan. Finish with a layer of sliced pepperoni.
  • Bake uncovered for 40 minutes, or until bubbly and golden. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Substitute sausage with ground beef or a mix of meats if desired.
Cooked bacon or leftover ham can replace cubed ham.
Use either store-bought or homemade spaghetti sauce.
This recipe yields a large amount—perfect for freezing leftovers.
When baking from frozen, increase bake time as needed.