Alright friends, get ready for the ultimate cozy dinner that feels like a cheesy, savory hug — and it’s ridiculously easy to make! This easy pepperoni pasta bake with Italian sausage and mozzarella is the weeknight dinner of your dreams. Think hearty pasta, melty cheese, savory sausage, and crispy pepperoni all baked together to perfection. It’s the kind of dish that’ll have your family begging for seconds (and maybe even thirds). So grab your ingredients, pop that bubbly, and let’s make dinner magic!
This pepperoni pasta bake is perfect for those cozy weeknights when you want something comforting and satisfying, or for when you're hosting a casual dinner party and need an easy dish that's guaranteed to please a crowd.
This super easy meal can be made ahead or thrown together at the last minute. It brings classic meat lover's pizza flavors to a simple, one-pan dinner that's both comforting and crowd-pleasing.
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Why You'll Love This Delicious Pasta Bake
- It’s a Flavor Explosion in Every Bite
Pepperoni, Italian sausage, and melty cheese combine with pasta and tangy marinara in a savory, cheesy dish that’s rich, satisfying, and totally crave-worthy. Every bite is bursting with classic pizza flavors, but in pasta form. - Simple, No-Fuss Comfort Food
This dish comes together easily with minimal prep and ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. No complicated steps, just hearty, comforting goodness you’ll want to dive into ASAP. - Perfect for a Crowd (or Leftovers!)
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal-prepping for the week, this dish makes plenty and is just as delicious the next day, making it a meal prep all-star. - Kid-Approved (and Adult-Approved, Too!)
This pasta bake is a universal crowd-pleaser. The pepperoni adds just the right amount of flavor for kids, while the Italian sausage gives it that extra depth that adults will love.
Simple Ingredients
This dish is as easy as it gets, with just five ingredients—pasta, pepperoni, Italian sausage, mozzarella, and marinara—coming together to create a flavorful, cheesy masterpiece.
- Pasta: I like to use a variety of shapes like farfalle, rotini, and penne, but any shapes will work.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts into a gooey, creamy layer that perfectly complements the sausage and crispy pepperoni.
- Marinara sauce: Use your favorite marinara sauce. I love Prego mini-meatball.
- Italian sausage: Brings a savory, spicy kick to the dish.
- Pepperoni: Adds a crispy, salty crunch, giving every bite an extra burst of flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Easy Pepperoni Pasta Bake
This tasty pasta bake is as simple as it gets—no complicated steps, just delicious layers of flavor coming together in one dish. Grab your ingredients, preheat the oven, and let’s dive in.
- Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C). Brown the Italian sausage in a skillet. Drain and discard fat.
- Cook pasta accordingly to package directions until al dente and drain.
- Combine cooked pasta, cooked Italian sausage, marinara sauce, ½ cup shredded mozzarella, and pepperoni in a large mixing bowl.
- Place pasta mixture into 9x9-inch or 9x13-inch ovenproof baking dish.
5. Top with remaining 1-½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
6. Cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. If the cheese is getting brown too quickly, cover with aluminum foil for the remainder of baking time.
Hint: Browning the sausage before mixing it with the other ingredients adds a deeper, richer flavor, and it also helps to get that perfect crispy texture in the sausage, which pairs well with the melted cheese and crispy pepperoni!
Variations
The main flavor for this dish comes from the salty, crispy pepperoni and the savory, spicy Italian sausage. Substituting either one of those will lead to significant variation in the flavor profile, but feel free to mix it up if that's your thing!
- Spicy: Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Sausage: Try breakfast sausage or hot sausage for a contrasting twist.
- Pepperoni: I like using mini pepperoni, but try regular size pepperoni, prosciutto, or Canadian bacon for a different flavor experience.
- Cheese: Try another great melting cheese like fontina, provolone, or gouda.
Storage
To store your pepperoni pasta bake, let it cool to room temperature, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze the baked pasta for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake it in the oven at 375°F (190°C) until it's heated through, or microwave individual portions for a quick meal. Make sure to cover it with foil while reheating to keep the cheese from drying out.
FAQ
Yes! It stores easily in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. See directions above for storage.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with pepperoni pasta bake with Italian sausage and mozzarella:
Easy Pepperoni Pasta Bake with Italian Sausage and Mozzarella
Equipment
- large pot to cook pasta
- colander or strainer to drain cooked pasta
- skillet to cook Italian sausage
- baking dish to assemble and bake pasta dish
- wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta shapes (I use penne, farfalle, and rotini)
- 1 pound Italian sausage ground
- 1 cup mini pepperoni
- 1 jar marinara sauce (24 ounces)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉ (190℃). Brown Italian sausage in a skillet. Drain and discard fat.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cooked Italian sausage, pepperoni, ½ cup mozzarella, and marinara sauce. Stir to combine.
- Layer pasta mixture into baking dish and cover with remaining 1-½ cups of shredded mozzarella.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and slightly browned on top.
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