Cheesy Beef Pizza Casserole (Printable Version)

Baked pasta loaded with beef, mozzarella, pepperoni, and sauce for a cozy, satisfying family meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat and Aromatics

01 - 500 g ground beef or lamb
02 - 1 small onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - Salt, to taste
06 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Pasta and Sauce

07 - 3 cups (approximately 375 g) cooked rotini or penne pasta
08 - 2 cups (480 ml) marinara or pizza sauce

→ Cheeses

09 - 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese

→ Toppings

11 - 1/2 cup (50 g) pepperoni slices (halal if needed)
12 - 1/4 cup (30 g) chopped bell peppers (optional)
13 - 1/4 cup (30 g) sliced black olives (optional)

→ Cooking and Garnish

14 - Olive oil, as needed for cooking
15 - Fresh parsley or basil, finely chopped, for garnish (optional)

# Steps To Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 190°C and lightly grease a large baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
02 - Heat a small amount of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until well browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, marinara or pizza sauce, beef mixture, and half the shredded mozzarella. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat.
05 - Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese and all the grated Parmesan evenly over the surface.
06 - Distribute pepperoni slices, chopped bell peppers, and sliced black olives evenly across the top layer.
07 - Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and top is golden and bubbly.
08 - Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil if desired. Serve hot.

# Notes and Tips:

01 - For best results, use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture. Substitute turkey or chicken mince for a lighter version.

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