Pizza Casserole

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

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook ground beef, sausage, and onions for 4 minutes.
3. Add peppers and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until meat is browned. Drain grease.
4. 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.
5. Add marinara and pizza sauce, let it simmer partially covered while boiling pasta 1 minute less than al dente.
6. Reduce sauce heat to low, stir in Parmesan cheese. Drain pasta and add to the skillet, stirring to combine.
7. Transfer to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish if the skillet isn’t oven-safe up to 450 degrees.
8. Top with mozzarella, then pepperoni.
9. Cover and bake for 10 minutes. (Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray if using.)
10. 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.
11. 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