There’s something irresistibly comforting about a bubbling, cheesy bake that combines all those classic flavors you recognize and love. This Cheesy Italian Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe brings together pasta, sausage, and gooey cheese for a meal that tastes like a warm hug on a plate. Trust me, once you try it, it’s going to be a regular in your dinner rotation.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Italian Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Cheesy Italian Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Cheesy Italian Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This casserole hits all the right notes: it’s hearty, full of flavor, and straightforward enough that making it feels like a breeze, even after a long day. I always get excited when I know there’s a pan of this in the oven ready to feed my family.
- Comfort food at its best: Combining traditional pizza flavors in a warm, cheesy pasta bake is pure comfort food magic.
- Simple preparation: Nothing complicated here—you just brown, mix, and bake.
- Family favorite: It’s one of those dishes that tends to disappear fast at my house!
- Customizable: You can easily tweak it to suit your taste buds or what’s in your fridge.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays a delicious role. From the savory Italian sausage to the melty mozzarella, each element combines for a casserole that’s rich and balanced. When shopping, pick fresh veggies and good-quality sausage for the best results.
- Fusilli pasta: Its spiral shape holds sauce beautifully, making every bite flavorful.
- Bulk Italian sausage: Provides hearty, rich flavor—sweet or hot works depending on your heat preference.
- Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness when sautéed and builds depth.
- Garlic: Essential for that signature pizza aroma and taste.
- Green bell pepper: Brings a gentle crunch and fresh color.
- Cremini mushrooms: Earthy and meaty, they add a savory punch.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the natural flavors.
- Red pepper flakes: Adds warmth and a little kick—adjust dosages to your palate.
- Dried basil and oregano: Classic Italian herbs that give you all those authentic flavors.
- Strained tomatoes (or tomato sauce): The cohesive, tangy base for the sauce.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Gooey and melty—this cheese is the crowning glory of the casserole.
- Sliced pepperoni: Pepperoni delivers that nostalgic pizza flavor and a touch of spice.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Cheesy Italian Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Over time, I’ve adjusted it based on what we love or what’s on hand, and it never disappoints.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap out the green bell pepper for roasted red peppers for a smokier hint—my kids adore the twist.
- Meat options: Feel free to use a spicy Italian sausage if you want a bit more heat or even a turkey sausage for a lighter version.
- Vegetarian version: Replace the sausage with chopped eggplant or zucchini and double down on the mushrooms for meaty texture.
- Cheese swap: Mixing mozzarella with a little parmesan or provolone gives it a richer finish in my experience.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Italian Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Get your pasta perfect
Start by boiling your fusilli pasta in salted water just until it’s al dente. This is important because it’ll continue cooking in the casserole, and nobody likes mushy pasta. Once cooked, drain well and set it aside—draining thoroughly here prevents a soggy bake.
Step 2: Brown your sausage and veggies
While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet and brown your Italian sausage, breaking it into nice, small pieces. After it’s cooked through, toss in diced onions, garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Sauté until the onions soften and the veggies smell fragrant. This step layers your flavor base and makes the sauce rich and hearty.
Step 3: Simmer your sauce
Sprinkle in salt, red pepper flakes, basil, and oregano, then stir everything with your strained tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer so the flavors meld—about three to four minutes should do it. When your kitchen fills with that classic Italian aroma, you’re on the right track.
Step 4: Mix and layer your casserole
Pour the savory meat sauce onto your cooked pasta, toss in half the pepperoni, and mix it all up. Now, it's time to layer: half the pasta mix goes into your prepared baking dish, then half the shredded mozzarella. Add the rest of the pasta, top with the remaining cheese, and sprinkle the leftover pepperoni on top for that irresistible final touch.
Step 5: Bake to bubbly perfection
Cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese bubbles and starts to beautifully brown. Keep an eye on it in these last minutes so the cheese doesn’t burn—those golden crispy edges are pure magic.
Top Tip
I’ve made this Cheesy Italian Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe countless times, and a few tricks really help it shine. These tips come from my kitchen successes and the few mishaps I encountered—helping you skip straight to deliciousness.
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is key because it will absorb more sauce and stay perfectly textured after baking.
- Drain excess fat if needed: Sometimes sausage releases a lot of grease, so I spoon out extra to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Use fresh herbs when possible: I find that fresh basil and oregano really brighten up the dish—just add them at the end of simmering.
- Let it rest: After baking, let the casserole sit for 10 minutes so it firms up, making it easier to serve without falling apart.
How to Serve Cheesy Italian Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I love to sprinkle chopped fresh basil or some red pepper flakes on top for a pop of color and subtle freshness. A few grinds of black pepper add just the right bite right before serving.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad tossed in a simple vinaigrette. Garlic bread is another favorite of mine—it’s perfect for soaking up any extra sauce left on the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve assembled this in individual ramekins for an elegant, single-serve presentation. Guests love how the melted cheese bubbles up in its own little dish, plus it looks impressive without a lot of fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It reheats wonderfully and tastes nearly as good as fresh—sometimes even better after the flavors meld overnight.
Freezing
This casserole freezes surprisingly well. I portion it out into freezer-safe dishes, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Just make sure to cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer the oven at 350°F until warmed through to preserve the texture and crisp up the cheese again. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the texture won’t be as nice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can assemble the casserole completely, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate it overnight. When you’re ready, bake it as directed, adding a few extra minutes if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
I usually go for bulk sweet Italian sausage because it balances nicely with the other flavors, but hot Italian sausage works great if you want a bit of heat. Either will result in a tasty casserole.
Absolutely! While fusilli’s shape helps hold the sauce well, penne, rigatoni, or rotini will work equally well. Just adjust cooking times to ensure the pasta is al dente before baking.
Yes! Omit the Italian sausage and substitute sautéed vegetables like eggplant or extra mushrooms for a satisfying vegetarian casserole. You can also add plant-based meat alternatives if you prefer.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Italian Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s both nostalgic and so dependable. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or just want dinner on the table without fuss, it delivers every time. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s like pizza and pasta had the best possible baby, and you get to enjoy every bite.
Print
Cheesy Italian 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-American
Description
A hearty and comforting Pizza Casserole featuring fusilli pasta, Italian sausage, vegetables, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni, baked to bubbly perfection. This dish combines classic pizza flavors in a convenient casserole form, perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz fusilli pasta
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb bulk Italian sausage (sweet or hot)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, quartered
Seasonings and Sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 15-oz cans strained tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
Toppings
- 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 fusilli pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook the sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bulk Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small bite-sized pieces until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Cook the vegetables: To the skillet with sausage, add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced green bell pepper, and quartered cremini mushrooms. Cook until the onion is soft, about 4-6 minutes. Stir in kosher salt, red pepper flakes, dried basil, and dried oregano. Add the strained tomatoes, stir, and bring the mixture to a simmer, cooking for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour the meat sauce onto the cooked noodles, add half of the sliced pepperoni, and mix to combine. Pour half of the noodle mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Add the remaining noodle mixture, then top with the remaining cheese and the rest of the pepperoni slices.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is beginning to brown.
Notes
- For a spicier casserole, use hot Italian sausage and increase red pepper flakes slightly.
- If you prefer, substitute mozzarella with a blend of mozzarella and provolone cheese for extra flavor.
- Strained tomatoes or tomato sauce can be used interchangeably depending on desired texture.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta during boiling since it will continue baking in the oven.
- You can prepare this casserole a day ahead and bake it when ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg

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