Pizza Pasta Bake
When you can’t decide between pizza night or pasta night… why not have both? This Pizza Pasta Bake brings all your favorite toppings — melty cheese, smoky bacon, zesty Italian sausage, and savory pepperoni — together in one irresistible, bubbly casserole. It’s hearty enough to feed a crowd, easy enough for weeknights, and guaranteed to satisfy every pizza lover at the table. The best part? You can load it up with whatever toppings you love — because just like pizza, there’s no wrong way to do it!
Check out these other great recipes while you are here!
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Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The best of both worlds: All the flavors of your favorite pizza meet tender pasta in a creamy, cheesy bake.
- Family-friendly: Even picky eaters can build their own flavor combos — think of it as pizza night in a pan!
- Totally customizable: Mix and match toppings, sauces, and cheeses to make it your own.
- Great for leftovers: Reheats beautifully for up to 4 days, making it perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.
- Crowd-pleaser: Serves up to 8 hearty portions, ideal for parties, potlucks, or game day.
Ingredients
(Exact amounts listed in recipe card below.)
- Bacon: Adds smoky, savory depth — everything’s better with bacon.
- Italian sausage: Mild or hot, whichever you prefer for that classic pizza flavor.
- Green bell pepper & red onion: A colorful, flavorful veggie base.
- Garlic: Freshly minced cloves add that essential Italian aroma.
- Pepperoni & Canadian bacon: A double dose of meaty pizza goodness.
- Black olives: Briny and bold — optional but delicious.
- Marinara sauce: Rich and hearty, but pizza sauce works perfectly too!
- Penne pasta: I used penne, but any short pasta like rotini, rigatoni, or shells works great.
- Mozzarella & Parmesan: The ultimate cheesy duo — swap or mix with provolone, cheddar, or an Italian blend if you like.
- Italian seasoning, salt & red pepper flakes: Simple, classic seasoning with just a touch of spice.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the bacon
Start by chopping six slices of bacon into small pieces. Cook them in a large skillet until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Drain the grease but don’t wipe the pan completely clean — that little bit of flavor goes a long way.
Step 2: Brown the sausage and veggies
In the same skillet, cook 1 pound of Italian sausage with a diced green bell pepper and about ½ cup of diced red onion. Once browned and tender, scoop out a spoonful of the sausage mixture to save for topping later.
Step 3: Add the aromatics and meats
Stir in four minced garlic cloves and cook for about a minute until fragrant. Then add the chopped pepperoni, Canadian bacon, and sliced black olives. Stir to combine and let it sizzle for another minute or two.
Step 4: Build the sauce
Pour in a 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce and a splash (about ¼ cup) of water to get all the extra sauce from the jar. Season with Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt. Let it simmer for a few minutes so the flavors meld together.
Step 5: Add the pasta and cheese
Fold in your cooked penne pasta (cooked just shy of al dente) and half of the cooked bacon. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top, then add a generous layer of shredded mozzarella.
Step 6: Top and bake
Add the reserved sausage, onions, and peppers on top, followed by extra pepperoni, Canadian bacon, and the rest of the bacon. Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a little kick, then bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy!
Let it cool for a few minutes before digging in. Serve with garlic bread and a crisp green salad to round out the meal.
If you do make this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating! I love hearing from you and it helps so much! Thank you!
Pizza Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 6 Slices Bacon, chopped
- 1 lb Italian Sausage
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
- 1/2 Cup Red Onion, diced
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 oz Pepperoni Slices + a few extra for topping
- 6 oz Canadian Bacon divided in half
- 24 oz Jar of Marinara or Pizza Sauce
- 1/4 Cup Water put it in the jar and shake it to get all the sauce out.
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 lb Penne Pasta, cooked just under al dente or any short pasta you like
- 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
- 3 Cups Mozzarella Cheese
- Red Pepper Flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cook bacon in a large skillet until crispy; set aside and drain grease.
- Brown sausage with bell pepper and onion. Reserve a spoonful for topping.
- Stir in garlic, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, and olives; cook 1 minute.
- Add marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, and salt. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in cooked pasta and half the bacon. Sprinkle Parmesan, then top with 2 1/2 cups of the mozzarella.
- Add reserved toppings, remaining bacon and remaining mozzarella. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Bake 12–15 minutes until bubbly.Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Notes
- Cheese swaps: Use provolone, cheddar, or an Italian blend for a new twist.
- Topping ideas: Mushrooms, banana peppers, jalapeños, or even pineapple for a Hawaiian twist!
- Pasta options: Rotini, ziti, rigatoni, or shells work just as well.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Microwave single portions for 1–2 minutes or until hot.
- Make it your own: Swap out meats, add veggies, or drizzle with ranch, hot honey, or extra sauce — this recipe is endlessly versatile!
What size casserole are you using?
It was a 3.8 quart enameled porcelain coated cast iron pan that I found on Amazon. The brand is Klee. I love it!