It was a Friday night, and everything was going wrong. We’d ordered our favorite pizza, only for it to show up late, cold, soggy, and—worst of all—missing half the toppings. I stared at the disappointing box and then looked at the fridge, determined to salvage the night. That’s when inspiration struck: What if pizza became a casserole?
What started as a desperate pantry raid turned into one of the boldest, cheesiest, most crowd-pleasing dinners I’ve ever made. Layers of saucy pasta, gooey cheese, savory meats, and that unmistakable pizzeria flavor… but baked and bubbling in a casserole dish. It was wild. It was messy. It was a total hit. That night, the Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole was born—and it’s been in regular rotation ever since.
This recipe blends all the best parts of your favorite meat lover’s pizza—Italian sausage, pepperoni, ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and melty cheese—with the heartiness of baked pasta. It’s the kind of meal that fills your home with incredible smells and your table with happy faces.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ cup chopped pepperoni (plus more for topping)
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional additions: chopped bacon, sliced black olives, red pepper flakes, fresh basil
Step-by-Step Instructions: . . .
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