Description
A comforting and cheesy pepperoni pasta bake that combines rotini pasta, ground beef, marinara sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, baked to perfection for a bubbly and golden finish. Ideal for a family-friendly dinner that’s both hearty and flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions, drained
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Cheese and Sauce
- 1 cup (138 g) pepperoni slices
- 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook ground beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is no longer pink and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
- Combine ingredients: To the skillet with the cooked beef, add the cooked rotini pasta, pepperoni slices, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until well combined. Then, transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture while cooking.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use gluten-free pasta to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
- Letting the dish rest before serving helps the cheese set and makes it easier to slice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
