INGREDIENTS
- ½ lb. ground beef
- ½ lb. ground mild, sweet, or hot Italian sausage
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
- ½ cup beef broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 32 oz. high-quality marinara sauce
- 8 oz. pizza sauce
- ¾ lb. penne pasta
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 ½ cups shredded whole milk/low moisture mozzarella
- 25 slices pepperoni
SEASONINGS
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook ground beef, sausage, and onions for 4 minutes.
- Add peppers and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until meat is browned. Drain grease.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add beef broth, clean the skillet’s bottom and sides, and add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and seasonings. Stir and heat for 1 minute.
- Add marinara and pizza sauce, let it simmer partially covered while boiling pasta 1 minute less than al dente.
- Reduce sauce heat to low, stir in Parmesan cheese. Drain pasta and add to the skillet, stirring to combine.
- Transfer to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish if the skillet isn’t oven-safe up to 450 degrees.
- Top with mozzarella, then pepperoni.
- Cover and bake for 10 minutes. (Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray if using.)
- Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until desired top color is achieved. Optionally, broil for 1 minute at 450°F for a bit more browning. Watch carefully.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese. Remove and serve!
TIPS AND TRICKS
- Quality Matters: Invest in high-quality marinara and pizza sauce for a richer flavor profile.
- Cheese Control: Mix up the cheese varieties or add extra if you’re a cheese fanatic!
- Sauté Perfection: Ensure the meat and veggies are well-sautéed for maximum flavor infusion.
- Pasta Precision: Cook the pasta just shy of al dente to avoid overcooking during baking.
- Foil Smartly: If covering with foil, spray one side to prevent sticking to the cheese while baking.
VARIATIONS
- Vegetarian Twist: Skip the meat and load up on your favorite veggies.
- Spicy Delight: Add extra hot sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
- Mushroom Madness: Sautéed mushrooms bring an earthy flavor to the mix.
- Buffalo Chicken Fusion: Substitute ground chicken and buffalo sauce for a zesty twist.
- Hawaiian Paradise: Swap pepperoni for ham and pineapple chunks.
- Mediterranean Magic: Add olives, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean flair.
- BBQ Bonanza: Drizzle BBQ sauce and top with shredded smoked chicken.
- Breakfast Edition: Serve it with a fried egg on top for a morning delight.
- Pesto Powerhouse: Substitute marinara with pesto sauce for a vibrant green casserole.
- Seafood Spectacle: Incorporate shrimp or crab for a seafood extravaganza.
WHAT TO PAIR IT WITH
- Garlic Bread Sticks
- Caesar Salad
- Fresh Fruit Platter
- Caprese Skewers
- Cucumber Mint Lemonade
- Roasted Vegetables
- Antipasto Platter
- Tomato Basil Bruschetta
- Italian Wedding Soup
- Tiramisu Dessert