Meat Lovers Pasta Casserole
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Meat Lovers Pasta Casserole is a delicious hearty dish that’s pure comfort. It includes pasta, marinara, hamburger, pepperoni, and cheese in every bite. This recipe is simple to make, great for busy days, and ideal for meal prepping.
Key Takeaways
- Meat Lovers Pasta Casserole offers a filling, comforting meal with pasta, marinara sauce, hamburger, pepperoni, and cheese.
- This recipe is easy to prepare, ideal for meal prepping, and can include added vegetables for nutrition.
- Use tips like undercooking pasta and letting it rest after baking to ensure the perfect texture.
- You can freeze leftovers or make the casserole ahead of time for convenience.
- The dish is customizable, making it suitable for various tastes and dietary preferences.
Meat Lovers Pasta Casserole
This recipe makes a large casserole. Typically, for a family of four there’s enough for leftovers. I think it is better the second day, and it reheats wonderfully in the microwave.
Balance this hearty casserole with a side salad, crusty garlic bread, and French silk brownies. You can also sneak vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers into this casserole.
Meat Lovers Pasta Casserole nutritional information will vary based on the meats and cheeses you use. In general, one serving provides protein from the meat and calcium from the cheese. Adding vegetables increases fiber and vitamins.
Cooking tips and substitutions
If you are short on time, use pre-shredded cheese. Otherwise, I highly recommend shredding your own. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with preservatives and additives to prevent it from sticking together. This isn’t ideal when you want smoothly melted cheese.
Brown the meat fully and drain excess grease to keep the casserole from becoming too greasy. You can also use a 90/10 ratio of ground beef.
Cook the pasta just until firm since it will continue to cook in the oven.
Use any short pasta shape that holds sauce well.
Swap in turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter option.
Add vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, or spinach for extra nutrition. Sometimes, I shred a cup of carrots and add them to the sauce.
Use a store-bought sauce to save time or a homemade sauce for more control over flavor.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Freeze in an airtight container for two months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.
Why you’ll ❤️ this recipe.
💰It is rich and full of flavor
⏱️It is quick and easy to assemble
📝It can be made ahead of time
🍽️It is a complete meal in one dish
🫑It is easy to customize with different meats and vegetables
Meat Lovers Pasta Casserole FAQ
Yes, let it cool completely, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. Be sure to write the date on the container.
Cover with foil and warm in the oven until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions.
Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to one day before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time if it goes into the oven cold.
Conclusion
This Meat Lovers Pasta Casserole is a solid option for family dinners and meal prep. It is simple, filling, uses pantry staples, and is easy to adapt to what you have on hand. It’s so popular with the family, it will become one of your regular weeknight meals.
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Meat Lovers Casserole
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini pasta cooked according to package & drained
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 jar marinara sauce 24 ounces
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F if you're cooking this right away. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta.8 ounces rotini pasta
- To a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic. Cook and crumble until no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat. Drain any excess grease.1 pound ground beef, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
- To the same skillet, add cooked pasta, pepperoni slices, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. Mix well and pour into the baking dish.1 cup pepperoni slices, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, 2 cups cheddar cheese, 1 jar marinara sauce, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 2 cloves garlic
- Top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly. *If you are meal-prepping covering tightly and refrigerate or freeze until ready to cook. If freezing, thaw in fridge and cook as directed.
- Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. It's good served with a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Nutrition
