Easy Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe (Weeknight Favorite)

This easy pizza casserole recipe is topped with loads of pepperoni slices and melty cheese! It’s an easy weeknight meal that’s a real crowd pleaser.

Back to school is here and I am feeling the pressure! We’re back to busy weeknights filled with practices and school activities. I’m starting to plan ahead for easy meals like this pizza pasta casserole recipe.

This is an easy casserole recipe that the entire family loves and will scarf down. And it’s not too hard for me to assemble ahead of time! 

I love this recipe for because it’s a super fun twist on pizza night! It’s basically pizza in pasta form.

This recipe has become a family favorite. It’s quick to put together, and while the pasta bakes, I can catch up on dishes or other household chores.

For this easy recipe, all you’ll need is a 9×13” baking dish and simple ingredients. A box of pasta, some tomato sauce, cheese and pepperoni. It truly could not be easier!

I have to admit, I usually sneak some veggies into this recipe! My son is pretty picky, but I like to puree zucchini or yellow squash and add it to the sauce. Nobody can tell!

Want to check out more pizza inspired recipes? Grilled Pizza Burgers | Easy Buffalo Chicken Pizza | Mexican Chicken Pizza

Pizza Casserole Recipe Substitutions

Use pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce instead of marinara but omit the Italian seasoning. 

Use any kind of pasta, just remember to cook it for 2 minutes less than the package directions. I really prefer using a “tube” pasta shape to allow some of the pasta sauce to work its way into the noodle. 

Substitute turkey pepperoni if needed.

Recipe Additions and Modifications for Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

You can absolutely make this easy dinner your own! I’ve kept it simple, considering my picky eater at home. But, here are some ideas for modifications:

Meat Lovers Pizza: Add 1 pound cooked, crumbled ground beef, Italian sausage, ground sausage, pork sausage or ground turkey to compliment the pepperoni.

Veggie Lovers Pizza: Mix diced onions, mushrooms, green bell peppers and/or red bell peppers into the pasta. Consider topping with black olives or sliced banana peppers on top of the casserole. 

Cheese Lovers Pizza: Add lots of cheese to the top and/or Parmesan cheese. 

Keto Pizza Casserole Recipe: Substitute 2-3 cups of zucchini chunks for the pasta.

Hawaiian Pizza Casserole: Make it a Hawaiian Pizza Casserole by replacing the pepperoni with Canadian bacon and adding a handful of drained canned pineapple!

Supreme Pizza Casserole: Add diced green peppers, black olives and mushrooms.

Any of your favorite pizza toppings will work! However, if you do plan to use sausage, onions or peppers, I definitely recommend sautéing them over medium-high heat in a large skillet before working them into the casserole.

Looking for more easy dinner ideas? Check out all my main course recipes on Blackberry Babe.

Pizza Casserole Serving Suggestions

I think serving this casserole with a simple salad is the right move! It’s a great way to round out this easy dinner recipe with some fresh greens.

I recommend serving this pizza pasta recipe with a simple green salad. It’s awesome with Julie’s Italian Salad or my Greek salad recipe.  And it’s wonderful with this Pepperoni Bread or Garlic Toast.

Need more side dish ideas? Check out 15+ Healthy Side Dishes for Pizza!

Storing Leftovers Pizza Casserole

I think this pizza bake is even better the next day! Just cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place leftover individual slices in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

If reheating an individual slice, use the microwave in one minute increments. You can also reheat in the oven at 350 degrees. I’d recommend keeping it covered with aluminum foil to keep the casserole from drying out.

If you’d like to make an extra casserole for the freezer, you can either assemble it and freeze it unbaked, or bake the casserole, allow it to cool completely and freeze it for 2-3 months. Make sure to cook the pasta al dente to just slightly under al dente. This will help keep the pasta mixture from getting mushy during the extra freeze, thaw and bake.