This cheesy, saucy pizza pasta is the ultimate comfort food mash-up! It’s packed with Italian sausage, melty cheese, and pepperoni—all baked together in one cozy dish.
1 tablespoon olive oil + more for tossing the pasta
1 small yellow onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1poundItalian sausage
28ouncespizza sauce
1/2cupwater
8ounces shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
1/2cuppepperoni
1/2cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt
fresh cracked pepper
fresh chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, and red pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Cook pasta according to package instructions just until al dente. Toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add onion along with a couple pinches of salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes.
Add garlic, garlic powder, and onion powder and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
Add Italian sausage and cook, crumbling with a spatula, until browned and cooked through. Stir in pizza sauce, water, and cooked pasta until well combined. If not using an oven-safe large saute pan, transfer the mixture to a 9×13 white baking dish.
Top with shredded cheese and pepperoni.
Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbly. Broil for 1-2 minutes if desired.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes, and enjoy!
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Notes
Use a large cast iron skillet or oven-safe large saute pan to go straight from stovetop to oven. Otherwise just use a 9×13 white baking dish.
Customize your toppings – try olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, or cooked bacon.
Let the pasta rest a few minutes after baking for easier scooping and more flavor.