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A cheesy, comforting casserole loaded with pasta, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and your favorite pizza toppings. It's all the flavor of a supreme pizza baked into an easy, family-friendly weeknight dinner.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a large pot, cook the pasta in generously salted boiling water until al dente, following package directions but cooking for about 2 minutes less than the recommended time. Drain well and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, until the vegetables have softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
In a very large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the sausage and vegetable mixture, marinara sauce, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, half of the pepperoni slices, the parmesan cheese, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Top with the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese and arrange the remaining pepperoni slices on top.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are golden brown. For a crispier top, you can switch to the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
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A cheesy, comforting casserole loaded with pasta, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and your favorite pizza toppings. It's all the flavor of a supreme pizza baked into an easy, family-friendly weeknight dinner.
This italian_american recipe takes 60 minutes to prepare and yields 6 servings. At 832.14 calories per serving with 40.19g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for dinner or lunch.
Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set for easier slicing. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Omit the sausage and pepperoni. Sauté 8 oz of sliced mushrooms and 1 chopped zucchini with the onion and bell pepper. Add a can of drained black olives for a veggie-supreme version.
Swap the marinara sauce for 2 cups of Alfredo sauce. Use cooked, shredded chicken instead of Italian sausage for a creamy, savory alternative.
Use hot Italian sausage, add 1/2 lb of cooked and crumbled bacon to the mix, and double the amount of pepperoni and red pepper flakes for an extra spicy, meaty kick.
With Italian sausage, pepperoni, and a generous amount of cheese, this dish provides a significant amount of protein, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function.
The marinara sauce, made from cooked tomatoes, is a fantastic source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases.
The pasta serves as a primary source of complex carbohydrates, which are broken down slowly by the body to provide a steady and sustained release of energy.
A typical serving of about 1.5 cups contains approximately 750-850 calories, depending on the specific ingredients used, such as the fat content of the sausage and cheese.
This is a rich and indulgent comfort food that is high in calories, sodium, and saturated fat. While it provides protein and some nutrients from vegetables, it's best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole (without baking), cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.
Sturdy, tube-shaped pasta like penne, rigatoni, or ziti are ideal. They have ridges and hollow centers that hold the sauce and ingredients well, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the Italian sausage and pepperoni. You can replace them with plant-based sausage crumbles or add more vegetables like sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and black olives for extra flavor and texture.