Imagine the perfect collision of two crowd-pleasing favorites: pizza and spaghetti, all baked into one irresistible, cheesy masterpiece! This Cheesy Pizza Spaghetti Casserole is about to become your new go-to dinner that will have everyone at the table begging for seconds. With a perfect blend of hearty ground beef, zesty pizza sauce, and a mountain of melted cheese, this dish transforms ordinary weeknight dinner into a flavor explosion that's guaranteed to make your taste buds dance.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar (24 ounces) pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until no pink remains and the meat is fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat from the ground beef. Return the skillet to the stove and add the pizza sauce and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- In the prepared baking dish, layer the cooked spaghetti as the base. Pour the beef and pizza sauce mixture evenly over the spaghetti.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Arrange the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese in an even layer.
- Finish by sprinkling the grated Parmesan cheese over the entire casserole for added flavor.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are slightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the dish to set and makes it easier to portion.
- Slice into 6 equal servings and garnish with additional fresh herbs like basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips
- For extra flavor, consider using a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage for the meat base.
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole.
- Cook the spaghetti just until al dente to prevent mushy pasta in the final dish.
- Use high-quality pizza sauce for the best flavor profile.
- Feel free to customize toppings - add bell peppers, olives, or swap pepperoni for another favorite pizza topping.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
- For a crispy top, broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes at the end of cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven for best texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 520kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 32g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 95mg
