Easy & Delicious Pizza Casserole: A Family-Friendly, WW-Friendly Weeknight Meal
Discover the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly easy and delicious Pizza Casserole recipe. A truly satisfying and flavorful addition to your weekly menu, this dish offers all the beloved tastes of a classic pizza, but in a hearty, baked pasta form. At just 6 WW points per serving, it’s a smart choice that doesn’t compromise on taste, making it perfect for those following a Weight Watchers plan or simply seeking a more wholesome alternative to traditional takeout pizza. Every bite delivers a delightful blend of rich marinara, savory meats, gooey cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta, ensuring comfort in every spoonful.
One of the best features of this pizza casserole is its incredible adaptability. You can effortlessly tailor it to your liking, experimenting with a wide range of your favorite pizza toppings to truly make this dish your own. From extra veggies to different meats, the possibilities are endless. Beyond its customizable nature, it’s also a champion of convenience. This casserole comes together quickly, with most of the prep work being straightforward, and bakes up beautifully in just 20-25 minutes. This makes it an ideal solution for simple, satisfying dinners, especially on busy weeknights when time is of the essence.
This pizza casserole is a game-changer for families looking to incorporate more nutritious meals without sacrificing familiar flavors everyone already adores. It cleverly introduces more vegetables into your family’s diet because they blend in easily among the crumbled meat and vibrant pasta sauce. Kids and adults alike will love the pizza taste, often without even noticing the added greens or colorful peppers. For an even greater vegetable boost, consider a secret weapon: blending cooked and drained zucchini, yellow squash, or carrots directly into the marinara sauce. This creates a powerhouse meal that’s rich in nutrients, and you can feel truly great about serving it to your loved ones.
Why This Pizza Casserole Should Be Your Next Dinner
- Budget-Friendly: Cooking at home is often more economical, and this recipe is a prime example. It relies on inexpensive, readily available ingredients, making it an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. To maximize your savings, consider utilizing pantry staples you already have on hand, such as different pasta shapes or substituting marinara for a can of crushed tomatoes with your own seasonings. You can even repurpose leftover cooked pasta by adding the key pizza elements like pepperoni, sausage, and cheese, transforming them into a delicious, upgraded dish that feels entirely new.
- Easy Meal Prep: Streamline your week by preparing this casserole ahead of time. It can be fully assembled and refrigerated, then baked when you’re ready to eat, saving precious minutes on busy evenings. This recipe also tastes fantastic reheated, making it perfect for easy meal prep throughout the week. Simply divide it into individual servings for grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners. For the best quality, remember to reheat individual portions rather than the entire casserole, which helps preserve its fresh taste and texture.
- Wholesome Alternative to Takeout: While traditional pizza can certainly be enjoyed, it doesn’t always fit into your daily nutritional goals, especially if you’re tracking points with WW. This pizza casserole provides all the robust, comforting pizza flavor without the excessive greasiness often associated with takeout. It’s a balanced meal filled with protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, allowing you to indulge in a favorite flavor profile in a much healthier way.
- Quick & Convenient: With a total time of just 40 minutes, including a mere 20-25 minutes of baking, this casserole is a lifesaver for busy schedules. The active cooking time is minimal, making it a stress-free option when you need a hearty, flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Highly Customizable: Think of this casserole as a blank canvas for your pizza dreams. Beyond the core ingredients, you can truly make it your own by adding any of your favorite pizza toppings. This versatility ensures that every member of the family can enjoy a version tailored to their preferences, preventing mealtime boredom.
- Kid-Friendly & Family Approved: The familiar and beloved flavors of pizza make this casserole an instant hit with children and adults alike. It’s an excellent way to introduce more vegetables into their diet without them even noticing, as the vibrant flavors and fun pasta shape make healthy eating enjoyable.
- Nutrient-Packed Potential: By consciously adding more vegetables and opting for whole-wheat or chickpea pasta, you can significantly boost the fiber, vitamins, and minerals in this dish, turning it into an even more powerful, nourishing meal.
Recipe Overview
- Serving Size: 191g
- Number of Servings: 8
- Prep Time: Approximately 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- WW Points Per Recipe: 48 per batch, 6 per serving
Essential Ingredients for Your Pizza Casserole
- 32 ounces low sodium marinara sauce: This forms the flavorful base of your casserole. Using a low-sodium variety helps keep the dish healthier without sacrificing taste. Feel free to use your favorite brand, or even combine marinara with a little pizza sauce for a more robust, authentic pizza flavor profile.
- 4 cups water: Essential for perfectly boiling your pasta to the ideal al dente texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt: Adding salt to the pasta water is crucial; it seasons the pasta from within as it cooks, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
- 6 ounces dry cellentani pasta: Cellentani pasta, with its unique corkscrew shape, is excellent for this dish because it expertly captures and holds the sauce and small pieces of toppings in every bite, making it both fun and incredibly filling. Other spiral or tube-shaped pastas like rotini or penne also work well.
- 2 ounces pork pepperoni: Diced pepperoni ensures a burst of savory, spicy pizza flavor in every forkful. A portion is also reserved and placed whole on top to achieve that classic, visually appealing supreme pizza look, adding a delightful crispy texture after baking.
- 1/4 cup black olives: Olives contribute a distinctive briny, savory flavor and a welcome portion of vegetables, adding depth and a Mediterranean touch to the casserole. Sliced green olives can also be used for a different taste.
- 1/2 red bell pepper: Diced red bell pepper complements the marinara sauce beautifully, adding a natural sweetness and a vibrant color that carries throughout the dish. Its subtle crunch also adds a lovely textural contrast. A green bell pepper can be used for a slightly more robust, less sweet flavor.
- 2 turkey Italian sausage links: Opting for turkey Italian sausage provides a lighter alternative to traditional pork sausage, while still infusing the casserole with an abundance of savory, herbaceous flavor. The added protein makes the meal more substantial and filling than pasta alone, and it contributes a delicious, well-seasoned taste.
- 1 cup low-fat mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella cheese is indispensable for creating that signature gooey, stretchy texture that is so reminiscent of an authentic pizza. Using a low-fat variety helps to keep the casserole lighter. An Italian cheese blend, provolone, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan can also be used for varied flavor and texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or Pizza seasoning: This aromatic seasoning blend is key to imparting that classic herb-infused pizza flavor. While Italian seasoning offers a general Mediterranean blend, dedicated pizza seasoning often includes ingredients like oregano, basil, thyme, and sometimes a hint of red pepper flakes for a bolder kick.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Your Perfect Pizza Casserole
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare an 8×8-inch baking dish by coating it thoroughly with cooking spray; set it aside. In a large pot, bring the 4 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the dry cellentani pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until it is al dente. It’s crucial not to overcook the pasta at this stage, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Once al dente, drain the pasta thoroughly.
2. Transfer the cooked and drained pasta into a large mixing bowl. Pour the entire 32 ounces of marinara sauce over the pasta. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is evenly coated in the rich sauce.
3. In a skillet set over medium heat, brown the turkey Italian sausage (with casing removed). Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break the sausage into small crumbles as it cooks. Continue to cook for approximately 7-10 minutes, or until no pink remains and it is fully cooked through. Ensure it is nicely browned for maximum flavor.
4. Add the cooked and crumbled sausage, the quartered pepperoni pieces, and the diced red bell pepper to the mixing bowl with the pasta and sauce. Stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined and evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
5. Scrape the entire pizza casserole mixture into your prepared 8×8-inch baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer with your spatula.
6. Top the casserole with an even layer of the low-fat mozzarella cheese, ensuring good coverage over the entire surface.
7. Arrange the reserved whole pepperoni slices and scatter the sliced black olives on top of the mozzarella cheese. Finally, sprinkle the Italian seasoning generously over everything. Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it.
8. Your pizza casserole is done when the sides are visibly bubbling, and the cheese on top is beautifully browned, melted, and gooey. Once removed from the oven, let the casserole cool and rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This crucial resting period allows the casserole to set, making it easier to scoop and preventing it from being too runny.
Customizing Your Pizza Casserole: Variations and Substitutions
- Swap the Pasta: Don’t feel limited to cellentani! You can easily use a different shape of pasta in this recipe, such as penne, ziti, rotini, or even elbow macaroni. For an added boost of fiber and protein, consider using whole-wheat pasta, rice-based pasta for a gluten-free option, or chickpea pasta like Banza. Each will bring a slightly different texture and nutritional profile to your casserole.
- Add Your Favorite Veggies: This casserole is a fantastic vehicle for adding more vegetables. Sliced mushrooms (sautéed briefly before adding for best flavor), fresh spinach (stirred into the hot sauce to wilt), diced onions (caramelized for sweetness), green bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli florets, or even artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes make great additions. Feel free to blend cooked softer vegetables like zucchini or carrots directly into the marinara for a hidden veggie boost.
- Try a Different Protein: While turkey Italian sausage offers a leaner option, you can certainly swap it for traditional pork Italian sausage if you prefer a richer flavor. For other variations, consider using lean ground beef, ground turkey, shredded cooked chicken, crumbled crispy bacon, or diced ham for a meat-lovers version. For a delicious vegetarian option, omit the meat entirely and add extra mushrooms, plant-based crumbles, or a can of drained cannellini beans.
- Want to Lower the WW Points? To further reduce the Weight Watchers points, decrease the dry pasta measurement to 4 ounces. To ensure the meal remains equally filling, compensate by adding 1 to 2 cups of additional non-starchy vegetables of your choice (like extra bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach) and use 1-2 additional turkey sausage links or lean ground turkey. This strategy adds volume and satiety without significantly increasing points.
- Cheese Variations: While mozzarella is classic, feel free to experiment with other cheeses. A blend of Italian cheeses (mozzarella, provolone, parmesan), a sharp provolone, or even a sprinkle of crumbled feta on top can add different dimensions of flavor.
- Spicy Kick: If you love a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce, using spicy pepperoni, or incorporating finely diced jalapeños into the mixture. A dash of your favorite hot sauce can also be stirred in for an extra fiery layer.
- Gluten-Free Option: Easily make this recipe gluten-free by simply using your preferred brand of certified gluten-free pasta. Ensure all other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Pizza Casserole Every Time
- Avoid Overcooking the Pasta: This is a critical step for perfect casserole texture. Because the pasta will bake for an additional 20-25 minutes in the oven, you want to leave it slightly undercooked (al dente) while boiling. This ensures that it finishes cooking in the sauce and doesn’t become mushy or overly soft, which would negatively affect the overall texture of the dish. If you are using a different variety of pasta, pay close attention to its package cooking times, as they can differ.
- Ensure the Meat is Fully Cooked: Always be sure to fully cook and brown the turkey Italian sausage before adding it to the casserole mixture. It can be difficult to tell if it’s properly cooked once it’s mixed with other ingredients and baked, and undercooked meat is a food safety concern. Break it into small, even crumbles to ensure it cooks evenly and quickly.
- Chop Veggies into Bite-Sized Pieces: While long slices of peppers or onions might look great on top of a traditional pizza, for a casserole, smaller, bite-sized pieces work much better. This ensures that the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the dish and that you get a balanced taste in every bite, making it easier and more pleasant to eat.
- Add Fresh Herbs for Brightness: Elevate the flavor and presentation of your casserole by adding fresh herbs. A sprinkle of fresh sliced basil or chopped parsley as a garnish just before serving can give this casserole a wonderfully fresh, aromatic taste and a pop of color.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Dish: Using the recommended 8×8-inch baking dish ensures that the casserole bakes evenly and the cheese gets nicely browned. If you double the recipe or add a lot of extra ingredients, consider using a larger baking dish to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking.
- Rest Time is Crucial: While it might be tempting to dig in immediately, allowing the casserole to cool and rest for 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven is important. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the cheese to set, making it much easier to scoop out neat, cohesive servings without it falling apart.
- Storage and Reheating: Store any leftover pizza casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For reheating, individual servings can be quickly warmed in the microwave, or for a crispier top, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
- Freezing Instructions: This casserole freezes wonderfully. You can freeze it either baked and cooled, or assembled but unbaked. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. If frozen unbaked, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed. If frozen baked, thaw and then reheat.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair this hearty pizza casserole with a light, crisp green salad tossed with a vinaigrette dressing to balance the richness. Garlic bread or a simple focaccia can also be a delightful accompaniment.
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Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups water, for boiling pasta
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 6 ounces dry cellentani pasta
- 32 ounces low sodium marinara sauce
- 2 links turkey Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 2 ounces pork pepperoni, quartered, few slices reserved for topping
- 1 cup reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or pizza seasoning
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare an 8×8-inch baking dish by coating it with cooking spray and set aside. Bring the water and salt to a boil in a pot over high heat. Add the pasta and boil for 8-10 minutes until al dente (slightly undercooked). Then, drain the pasta thoroughly.
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Place the cooked and drained pasta into a large mixing bowl. Pour in the marinara sauce and stir to combine, ensuring all pasta is coated.
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In a skillet over medium heat, brown the turkey Italian sausage (casing removed) until no pink remains, about 7-10 minutes. Use a spatula to break it into small crumbles as it cooks.
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Stir the cooked sausage crumbles, quartered pepperoni, and diced red bell pepper into the pasta and sauce mixture until well combined.
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Scrape the entire mixture into the prepared 8×8-inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
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Top the casserole with an even layer of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
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Place the whole pepperoni slices and the black olives on top of the cheese. Sprinkle evenly with Italian seasoning. Place the dish into the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sides are bubbling and the cheese is browned and gooey.
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When done, remove the casserole from the oven. Let it cool and rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set and the cheese to firm slightly.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.