Let me introduce pepperoni pizza in pasta bake form! This easy cheesy pepperoni pizza pasta bake ticks all of the boxes for a family-friendly kid-friendly weeknight meal!
It's quick (just 30 minutes!), easy to make (only a handful of ingredients including store-bought pasta sauce), and best of all it tastes delicious!
My kids' two favourite foods are pasta and pizza, so when you combine both in one meal you are on to a winner!
👩🍳 Love pasta bakes? Try my easy chicken fajita pasta bake too!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Pizza in pasta bake form!
- Quick and easy pasta recipe.
- Perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family-friendly and great for picky eaters.
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Pasta - use a short pasta such as penne, fusili or rigatoni.
- Pasta Sauce - I used a store-bought marinara style pasta sauce but make your own tomato sauce if you have time!
- Red Pesto - for extra flavour.
- Garlic - 2 cloves, chopped finely.
- Red Pepper - deseeded and cut into thin strips. You could also use a green pepper if you prefer.
- Oregano - or use Italian herb seasoning.
- Cheese - grated mozzarella cheese, or use another hard cheese such as cheddar.
- Pepperoni - use regular or mini pepperoni slices. Turkey pepperoni would also work.
- Fresh Basil Leaves - to garnish.
- Salt and Black Pepper - for seasoning.
🔪 Instructions
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Cook the pasta in salted boiling water to al dente, drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon of olive in a shallow casserole or frying pan and cook the garlic and red pepper on a medium heat until soft.
Two: Stir in the pasta sauce, red pesto, oregano, salt, and pepper and simmer for 10 minutes.
Three: Mix in the cooked pasta.
Four: Top with the grated mozzarella and pepperoni slices and bake in the oven for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and the top is golden.
💭 Expert tips
- The recipe can be easily doubled to feed a crowd.
- Use good quality ingredients for the best flavour.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve the pizza pasta bake with a side salad (try this easy courgette and feta salad), garlic bread or homemade focaccia, and air fryer corn on the cob!
📖 Variations
- Add crispy bacon, Italian sausage, cooked minced ground beef or turkey, or even leftover roast chicken.
- Sprinkle the pasta bake with red pepper flakes before serving.
- Up the veggies and add chopped fresh mushrooms, sweetcorn, or black olives.
- Make a ham and pineapple version!
🥡 Storage
Store: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave until piping hot.
Freeze: Assemble the dish but do not bake in the oven. Cover tightly with cling film and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen until piping hot throughout. Leftover baked pasta can also be frozen in individual portions.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can assemble the pasta bake ahead of time, keep it refrigerated for a day, and then bake when needed.
1. Green Salad.
2. Garlic Bread.
3. Potato Wedges.
4. Sweet Potato Fries.
5. Steamed veggies such as broccoli and carrots.
6. Corn on the cob.
7. Sweetcorn and peas.
😋 More easy pasta recipes
- Lemon Chicken Pasta
- Lamb Spaghetti Bolognese
- Rasta Pasta
- Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Creamy Sausage Pasta
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Recipe
Easy Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 250 g Pasta
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 Garlic Cloves peeled and chopped
- 1 Red Pepper deseeded and sliced
- 400 g Pasta Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Red Pesto
- 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
- 175 g Grated Mozzarella
- 10 Pepperoni Slices
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- Basil to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°c (160 fan/ Gas 4/ 350F).
- Cook the pasta in a pan of salted water to al dente, drain and set aside.250 g Pasta
- Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon of olive in a shallow casserole or frying pan and cook the garlic and red pepper on a medium heat until soft.1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 2 Garlic Cloves, 1 Red Pepper
- Stir in the pasta sauce, red pesto, oregano, salt, and pepper and simmer for 10 minutes.400 g Pasta Sauce, 1 tablespoon Red Pesto, 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano, ½ teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Pepper
- Mix in the cooked pasta.
- Top with the grated mozzarella and pepperoni slices and bake in the oven for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and the top is golden. Garnish with basil leaves.175 g Grated Mozzarella, 10 Pepperoni Slices
Notes
- Add crispy bacon, Italian sausage, cooked minced ground beef or turkey, or leftover roast chicken.
- Sprinkle the pasta bake with red pepper flakes before serving.
- Up the veggies and add chopped fresh mushrooms, sweetcorn, or black olives.
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