Pizza Casserole

Pizza casserole is an easy weeknight dinner, made with simple rotini pasta, ground beef, pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni. It's cheesy, packed with pizza flavor, and makes a great make-ahead meal!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef ((85% lean and 15% fat))
• 16 oz rotini pasta ((uncooked))
• 4 cups water
• 3 cups pasta sauce
• 8 oz Homemade Velveeta cheese
• 8 oz Mozzarella cheese ((shredded with a box grater))
• 24 pepperoni slices ((uncured pepperoni with no added nitrates))
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp seasoning salt ((Lawry's Brand))
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Directions: ---
2. 2Add the pasta, raw ground beef, and water into a pan: In a deep non-stick skillet, add the rotini pasta, raw ground beef, and 4 cups of water. Cover and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
3. 3Cook the pasta and ground beef: Once the pasta is boiling, briefly break up the beef using a meat chopper (it will separate easily). Cover and simmer the pasta over medium heat for 11-15 minutes. You want most of the liquid to evaporate and be al dente. If it's too watery, simmer the mixture uncovered for the last few minutes.
4. 4Add the pizza seasonings and Velveeta: Turn off the pan. Add all of the seasonings (1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp seasoning salt, 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, and 1/2 tsp pepper) and Velveeta cheese. Stir to coat the mixture just until the Velveeta starts to melt.
5. 5Add the pizza sauce: Add the pasta sauce and lightly toss (don't overmix).
6. 6Assemble the pizza casserole: Transfer the pasta mixture into a 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and top with pepperoni slices.
7. 7Bake casserole: Bake pizza casserole covered at 350°F for 35-40 minutes. Then bake uncovered for 5-10 more minutes. Serve.