There's something so satisfying about a warm, cheesy dish that brings the best of pizza flavors into a cozy casserole. This Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe is more than just dinner; it’s an easy, comforting crowd-pleaser that fills your kitchen with amazing aromas and your belly with pure joy.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This casserole has become a favorite in my house because it perfectly blends those beloved pizza toppings into one easy, bake-and-forget dish. Whether you’re feeding a family or want leftovers for days, it’s just the kind of recipe that makes life easier and tastier.
- Comfort food at its finest: Melty cheese, spicy sausage, and savory tomato sauce baked into every bite.
- Simple prep with big flavors: You don’t need a ton of fancy skills or ingredients to get this one right.
- Family-friendly and customizable: Everyone can enjoy it as is or personalize it with their favorite pizza toppings.
- Great for meal planning: Makes enough to feed a crowd and tastes even better as leftovers.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe plays an important role to create that perfect balance of textures and flavors. I love using simple, quality ingredients that come together quickly, making the whole process a joy rather than a chore.
- Fusilli pasta: The twists catch the sauce and cheese beautifully, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
- Bulk Italian sausage: Adds rich, savory depth with just the right amount of spice (sweet or hot, pick your favorite).
- Onion and bell pepper: Provide sweetness and a subtle crunch that lightens up all the richness.
- Garlic: Because garlic makes everything better — trust me on this one.
- Cremini mushrooms: These little gems give an earthy note that complements the meat and tomato sauce elegantly.
- Strained tomatoes (or tomato sauce): The base of our sauce—simple, rich, and perfect to meld all the flavors.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts into that glorious gooey top layer we all crave on pizza.
- Pepperoni: Adds classic pizza flair and that slightly crispy, spicy touch when baked on top.
- Herbs & spices (basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, kosher salt): These bring all the Italian-inspired magic to life.
Make It Your Way
I love how versatile this Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe is — it really welcomes your own spin. Sometimes I swap out mushrooms for olives or add a handful of spinach for extra greens. You’ll find it’s easy to tailor to what you have or how you feel.
- Variation: For a veggie boost, I often stir in chopped spinach or kale just before baking — adds color and nutrition without losing that pizza vibe.
- Making it milder or spicier: Swap Italian sausage for turkey sausage or go hotter with added crushed red pepper flakes to suit your family’s tastes.
- Cheese swap: Mozzarella is classic, but mixing in some provolone or even a sprinkle of Parmesan on top gives the casserole a cheesy upgrade.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta and double-check your sausage for gluten-free labeling. It still tastes just as delicious.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Cook the Pasta
First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. This step saves you from sticky messes later. Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fusilli pasta just until al dente — about a minute less than package directions so they don’t get mushy during baking. Drain and set aside, but don’t rinse the pasta; the starch helps sauce cling better.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage and Sauté Vegetables
In a large skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook the Italian sausage until nicely browned, about 6-8 minutes. I like breaking it into bite-sized pieces so every forkful tastes consistent. Then add diced onion, garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms stirring occasionally until the onion softens, around 4-6 minutes. This softening step really develops sweetness here.
Step 3: Season and Simmer the Sauce
Stir in kosher salt, red pepper flakes, dried basil, and oregano — this combo builds that iconic pizza flavor. Pour in the strained tomatoes (or tomato sauce), then let everything simmer gently for about 3-4 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly and ingredients meld. Once you’re happy, remove the pan from heat.
Step 4: Assemble Your Casserole Layers
Pour the meat sauce over the cooked pasta, then toss in half the sliced pepperoni — this ensures pepperoni flavor is distributed instead of just sitting on top. Spread half of this mixture into your prepared baking dish, then sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella. Repeat with the remaining pasta, cheese, and leftover pepperoni slices for a layered, cheesy finish.
Step 5: Bake to Gooey Perfection
Cover your dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes to let flavors marry and cheese melt. Remove the cover and bake another 15-20 minutes until bubbly and the cheese on top starts to brown beautifully. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving — this helps it firm up just enough for neat slices.
Top Tip
Having made this casserole many times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make a difference. These tips help you get the best texture and flavor, turning an already excellent recipe into an absolute crowd-pleaser.
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Undercook it just a bit since it continues to bake in the oven and you want it perfectly tender, not mushy.
- Break the sausage into small pieces: This way it cooks evenly and spreads flavor nicely without any chewiness.
- Let the casserole rest before cutting: Waiting 10 minutes helps everything set up so your slices hold together better.
- Try layering pepperoni inside too: Instead of just topping the casserole, layering pepperoni throughout keeps every bite interesting and flavorful.
How to Serve Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish this casserole with a sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or parsley for a fresh pop of color and brightness — it contrasts that rich cheese and meat wonderfully. Sometimes I add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes on the side for anyone who wants a little extra heat.
Side Dishes
Pair this casserole with a simple green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette or garlic bread. I’ve found that a crisp, fresh side really balances the hearty nature of this dish and rounds out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, try making individual casserole portions in mini ramekins or muffin tins — it’s a fun twist and great for portion control. You can even bake the casserole a day ahead and warm it up just before serving for a relaxed gathering without last-minute fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I usually divide it into meal-sized portions so it’s easy to grab exactly what I need without reheating the whole thing.
Freezing
This casserole freezes well too — either freeze before baking or after it’s fully cooled post-bake. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and it should last up to 3 months. When I do this, I always thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers covered with foil at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until warmed through to keep the cheese melty and prevent drying out. For a quicker option, the microwave works but watch for uneven heating or rubbery cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Simply skip the sausage and pepperoni and add in extra mushrooms, bell peppers, and maybe some plant-based sausage crumbles or tofu for protein. The cheese and sauce still deliver comforting pizza flavor.
Short, sturdy pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or rotini work best because their twists and ridges hold the sauce and cheese well, keeping every bite flavorful and satisfying.
Yes! You can assemble the casserole a day ahead, cover it tightly, and keep it in the fridge. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold going into the oven.
Definitely! A homemade tomato sauce adds a personal touch and can enhance the casserole’s flavor. Just make sure it’s well seasoned and not too watery to keep the casserole from becoming soggy.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe is truly one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. I love how it brings together simple, familiar flavors in a new, comforting way that gets everyone around the table smiling. Give it a try — I’m confident it’ll become a staple in your kitchen just like it did in mine.
Print
Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
A hearty and comforting pizza casserole that combines pasta, Italian sausage, vegetables, and classic pizza flavors baked to perfection with melted mozzarella and pepperoni.
Ingredients
Pasta and Meat
- 12 oz fusilli pasta
- 1 lb bulk Italian sausage (sweet or hot)
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, quartered
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Other Ingredients
- 3 15-oz cans strained tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (about 4 oz) sliced pepperoni
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set it aside. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook the sausage: While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it into small bite-sized pieces, for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Cook the vegetables: Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms to the skillet with the cooked sausage. Cook until the onion is soft, about 4-6 minutes. Add the salt, red pepper flakes, dried basil, and dried oregano. Stir together, then pour in the strained tomatoes. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer, about 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Assemble: Pour the meat sauce onto the cooked noodles and add half of the pepperoni, mixing well to combine. Pour half of the noodles into the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining noodles on top, followed by the remaining cheese, and finish by topping with the remaining pepperoni slices.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish and bake for 25 minutes. Then remove the cover and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is starting to brown.
Notes
- Use a 9 x 13-inch baking dish for even cooking.
- For a spicier casserole, use hot Italian sausage or increase red pepper flakes.
- Strained tomatoes can be substituted with tomato sauce if preferred.
- Ensure pasta is cooked al dente to avoid it becoming mushy after baking.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking for easier serving.
- This casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; increase baking time by 5-10 minutes if baking from cold.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Leave a Reply