Pizza casserole is for nights you crave the cheese and pepperoni but not the wait for a delivery.

Our pizza casserole tops a greasy delivery pie any day of the week.

We use a combination of packaged and fresh mozzarella cheese to create the ideal, melty consistency.

Southern Living Pizza Casserole with a serving scooped out to eat

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

you’re able to also sneak in or substitute some extra chopped veggies to create your preferred mix.

Learn how to make pizza casserole.

question and watching their faces light up.

Southern Living Pizza Casserole ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

You know the grown-ups will smile, too.

Pizza casserole can be made ahead for a weeknight meal that’s ready to serve when you are.

Let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats.

Southern Living Pizza Casserole cooking the sausage in the skillet

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

you’ve got the option to also freeze the unbaked casserole for up to two months.

you’re free to also reheat small portions in the microwave as needed.

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Who says pizza has to be served out of a box?

Southern Living Pizza Casserole stirring the pizza sauce into the sausage

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

package ground mild Italian sausage

2garlic cloves, minced

1Tbsp.olive oil

1(26-oz.)

package sliced baby portobello mushrooms

1cupsliced black olives

1/2cuppepperoni slices, chopped

1(16-oz.)

package rigatoni pasta

3Tbsp.

Southern LIving Pizza Casserole cooking the pepperoni mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Add marinara sauce:

Remove with a slotted spoon, reserving drippings in skillet.

Drain sausage mixture on paper towels, and transfer to a medium bowl.

Stir marinara sauce and 1/2 tsp.

Southern Living Pizza Casserole cooked pasta

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salt into sausage mixture.

Reserve 1/4 cup onion mixture.

Cook pasta:

Prepare pasta according to package directions in a large Dutch oven.

Southern Living Pizza Casserole making the cheese sauce

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Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute.

Stir in fresh mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, pepper, and remaining 1/2 tsp.

Pour sauce over pasta in Dutch oven, stirring to coat.

Southern Living Pizza Casserole stirring together the pasta, cheese sauce, and onion mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Stir in onion mixture.

Top with sausage mixture.

Top with packaged mozzarella cheese, reserved 1/4 cup onion mixture, and pepperoni slices.

Southern Living Pizza Casserole transferring the pasta mixture ot the baking dish

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Bake casserole:

Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

it’s possible for you to also freeze leftovers, thawing overnight and reheating when ready to serve.

Southern Living Pizza Casserole topping with sausage mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If needed, swap the rigatoni with penne, ziti, or other pasta shapes as desired.

Southern Living Pizza Casserole assembled and ready to go into the oven

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Pizza Casserole in the baking dish to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox