All the bold flavors of a loaded pizza—beef, sausage, pepperoni, and gooey cheese—baked into a hearty, crowd-pleasing casserole. Comfort food at its best!
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
Meat & base:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb Italian sausage (or more beef)
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce & extras:
- 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
Layers:
- 2 cups cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or macaroni)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup cheddar or parmesan
👩🍳 Instructions
- Cook the meat
In a skillet, brown ground beef and sausage with onion and garlic. Drain excess fat. - Add sauce
Stir in marinara, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes. - Combine
Mix cooked pasta into the meat sauce. - Assemble casserole
Pour into a baking dish. Top with mozzarella, cheddar/parmesan, and pepperoni. - Bake
Bake at 190°C (375°F) for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden. - Rest & serve
Let sit 5–10 minutes before serving.
🌿 Optional Anti-Inflammatory Touch
- Use lean ground turkey or chicken sausage
- Add veggies like bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms
- Use whole wheat or chickpea pasta
- Add herbs like oregano & basil
💡 Tips
- Don’t overcook pasta—it will bake more in the oven
- Add a layer of cheese in the middle for extra gooeyness
- Broil 2–3 minutes for a crispy cheesy top
🥗 Nutrition (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: ~450–600
- Protein: ~25–35g
- Hearty & filling
🧮 WW Points (Estimated)
- Standard: ~9–12 points
- Lighter version: ~6–8 points
🔄 Variations
- Low-carb: skip pasta, use cauliflower or zucchini
- Spicy: add jalapeños or hot sausage
- Deluxe: add olives, mushrooms, and peppers