Description
A comforting and cheesy vegetarian pizza casserole that’s perfect for the whole family. This hearty dish combines pasta, savory marinara sauce, sautéed vegetables, and plenty of melted cheese baked to bubbly perfection. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal with flexible toppings to customize your favorite flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz (225g) pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli)
- 2 cups (475ml) marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheeses
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Toppings
- Chopped tomatoes
- Banana peppers
- Jalapeños
- Spinach
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, green bell pepper, mushrooms, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables are softened and lightly browned.
- Season the sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Combine pasta and sauce: In a large mixing bowl or directly in the baking dish, mix the cooked pasta with the sautéed vegetable sauce mixture. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Layer the casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly at the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over it. Then layer the remaining pasta on top and cover with the rest of the cheeses. Scatter the sliced black olives evenly over the top.
- Bake the casserole: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- Cool and serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or red pepper flakes if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute pasta shapes based on preference, such as fusilli or rotini, which hold sauce well.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables or add optional toppings like spinach or jalapeños for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and ensure the marinara sauce is gluten-free.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, add red pepper flakes to the sauce or top with jalapeños before baking.
