The Ultimate Guide to Making Dump And Bake Pizza Casserole

What is Dump And Bake Pizza Casserole?

Dump and Bake Pizza Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines all the flavors of your favorite pizza toppings in one casserole. The best part? There's no need to pre-cook any of the ingredients, just dump them into your casserole dish and bake!

Ingredients

Before we dive into the recipe, let's take a look at the ingredients you'll need:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz.) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1 package (16 oz.) rotini pasta
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Pepperoni slices, for topping

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Step 2: Prepare the beef and vegetables

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Step 3: Add the tomatoes and seasonings

Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Combine the pasta and water

In a 9x13 inch casserole dish, combine the uncooked rotini pasta and water. Spread the pasta out evenly in the dish.

Step 5: Add the beef mixture

Pour the beef mixture over the pasta in the casserole dish. Use a spatula to spread the mixture out evenly.

Step 6: Bake

Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole. Add pepperoni slices on top if desired. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tips for Making Dump And Bake Pizza Casserole

Use your favorite pizza toppings

Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking by adding your favorite pizza toppings. Some great options include mushrooms, olives, sausage, and bacon.

Add more or less water depending on your preference

If you prefer a saucier casserole, you can add more water to the dish. If you like your casserole drier, use less water.

Let the casserole rest before serving

It's important to let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving so that the cheese has a chance to set and the casserole is easier to cut and serve.

FAQs

1. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the casserole ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake it. Just be sure to increase the baking time if you're ing with a cold casserole.

2. Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes! This casserole freezes well. To freeze, let the casserole cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Label the casserole with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, let the casserole thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

3. Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can use any type of pasta you like. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

4. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works just as well in this recipe.

5. Can I make this casserole vegetarian?

Yes! Simply omit the ground beef and add more vegetables, such as mushrooms or zucchini, to the casserole.