Description
This easy Pepperoni Pizza Casserole features rotini simmered in pizza sauce with tomatoes and pepperoni, then topped with mozzarella and broiled until bubbly. A comforting family dinner ready in about 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the pasta:
- 14.5 ounces pizza sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup chopped pepperoni
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cups dry rotini pasta
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
For the topping:
- 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- About 30 pepperoni slices
- Fresh parsley, optional
- Red pepper flakes, optional
For the dish:
- Cooking spray, as needed
Instructions
- Set the oven to broil on high. Lightly grease a broiler-safe 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Follow the oven and cookware instructions for rack placement.
- Add pizza sauce, undrained tomatoes, broth, chopped pepperoni, and Italian seasoning to a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Add the dry rotini. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle boil and cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente. If it becomes dry before the pasta is tender, add a small splash of water or broth as needed.
- Remove from the heat and stir in one cup of mozzarella. Spread the pasta and sauce into the prepared dish.
- Top with the remaining two cups of mozzarella and arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese.
- Broil for about four to five minutes, watching continuously, until the cheese melts and bubbles and the pepperoni begins to crisp. Remove sooner if the topping is ready.
- Garnish with parsley or red pepper flakes, if desired, and serve.
Notes
- Timing is approximate and depends on the pasta, burner, and broiler.
- Do not drain the tomatoes or the cooked pasta.
- For a one-pot option, use a Dutch oven explicitly approved for broiling.
- Omit pepperoni for cheese pizza pasta, or add chopped spinach or sautéed mushrooms or peppers.
- Refrigerate leftovers promptly for up to four days and reheat to 165°F.
- Fresh or refrigerated servings are recommended over freezing for the best pasta texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes plus dry brining time
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stovetop and broiler
- Cuisine: American