Pizza Baked Spaghetti

Pizza or pasta for dinner?

My kids rarely agree on much when food is involved, but this pizza baked spaghetti keeps everyone happy.

It is basically a spaghetti casserole topped like a pizza, with plenty of tomato sauce, pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, and melted mozzarella. You can also change the toppings depending on what your family likes or what is already sitting in the fridge.

I usually prepare everything earlier in the day, cover the dish, and leave it in the refrigerator until dinner. Then it only needs to go into the oven. It also tastes just as good reheated the next day, assuming there is any left.

Pizza Spaghetti Casserole

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 5 oz pepperoni slices
• 2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti for about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain well.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and bell pepper. Cook for 5–6 minutes, until they begin to soften.
4. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
5. Pour in the marinara sauce. Add the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.
6. Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss until evenly coated.
7. Spread half of the spaghetti mixture in the prepared baking dish. Add half of the pepperoni, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan.
8. Add the remaining spaghetti, followed by the rest of the pepperoni, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
9. Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
11. Let the baked spaghetti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley.

Tips

• Cook the spaghetti slightly less than usual because it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Sauté the mushrooms before adding them so they do not release too much water into the casserole.
• Add any pizza toppings your family likes, such as cooked sausage, olives, onions, or jalapeños.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days.