Pizza Spaghetti Casserole: Creamy, dreamy, and divine.

My Crazy Kitchen Idea

One night, my grandkids couldn’t agree on dinner. One wanted pizza. The other wanted spaghetti. I looked in my pantry and had an idea. I decided to mix them together. I still laugh at that crazy, happy accident.

This matters because dinner should bring people together, not cause arguments. A simple fix can make everyone smile. What two foods would you love to combine for dinner?

Let’s Build Our Dish

First, boil your spaghetti noodles just like the package says. Drain them well. Now, get your big casserole dish. We are going to build layers, like building a tasty tower.

Start with a little sauce on the bottom. Then add noodles, a sprinkle of that lovely mozzarella cheese, and a few pepperoni. Just keep repeating the layers. It’s so much fun to see it get taller.

The Magic in the Oven

Pop your dish into a 350° oven. Let it get all hot and bubbly. This takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Then we do the magic part. We turn on the broiler for just a few minutes.

Watch it closely. You want the cheese to get golden and lovely. But don’t let the pepperoni burn. I always stand by the oven window. Doesn’t that smell amazing when it starts to brown?

A Little Grandma Secret

Here is my little secret. When it comes out of the oven, I grab a napkin. I gently blot the top of the pepperoni and cheese. This soaks up any extra grease. It makes the casserole even better.

*Fun fact*: The first pizza was made in Italy over 1,000 years ago. It was a simple flatbread with toppings. I think they would love our version!

Why This Supper is Special

This dish matters because it is more than food. It is about solving problems with what you have. It’s about making a meal that feels like a big, warm hug for your family.

Everyone gets their favorite flavors in one bite. Does your family have a favorite “mix-up” meal like this? I would love for you to tell me about it.

Time to Eat!

Let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving. This helps it set. Then, scoop out a big, cheesy portion for everyone. The cheese will be so stretchy.

Seeing everyone’s happy faces is the best part. It’s a sure winner for a busy weeknight. Will you be trying this recipe soon? Let me know how it turns out for you.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Spaghetti noodles	1 package (17.6 oz)
Spaghetti sauce	1.5 jars (24 oz jars)
Horizon Organic mozzarella cheese	2 cups	Shredded
Pepperoni	1 package

My Pizza Spaghetti Casserole

Hello, my dear! Let’s make some magic in the kitchen today. This recipe is one of my favorites for a busy weeknight. It combines two of the best foods ever, pizza and spaghetti. My grandkids go absolutely wild for it. The whole house smells like an Italian restaurant. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

I first made this for my grandson’s tenth birthday. He couldn’t decide what he wanted for his dinner. So I said, why not have both? His eyes got so wide when I pulled it from the oven. I still laugh at that. It’s become our special tradition. Now, let’s get our hands busy and make it together.

Ingredients

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 1 (24 ounce) jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 (6 ounce) package of pepperoni slices

Instructions

Step 1: First, we need to cook our spaghetti. Just follow the time on the package. You want the noodles to be soft but still have a little bite. Drain all that hot water away carefully. I always let the noodles sit in the colander for a minute. This is a good time to preheat your oven to 350°. A warm oven is a happy oven!

Step 2: Now for the fun part, building our casserole! Grab your big 9×13 dish. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the very bottom. This keeps the noodles from sticking. Then add a layer of your cooked noodles. Next, sprinkle a handful of that lovely mozzarella cheese.

Step 3: Let’s add the pepperoni! Place them in a single layer over the cheese. You can make a fun pattern if you like. Then we just repeat the layers. Do another layer of sauce, noodles, cheese, and pepperoni. Keep going until your dish is nice and full. (A hard-learned tip: don’t press the layers down too much. Let it stay fluffy!)

Step 4: Pop that beautiful dish into your warm oven. Bake it for about 20 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s all hot and bubbly. See those little bubbles? That’s the sign. Now, we turn on the broiler for just a few minutes. This makes the cheese golden and perfect. But you must watch it closely! It can burn so fast.

Step 5: Take the casserole out of the oven. Be very careful, it’s super hot! Now, here’s my little secret. Grab a few paper napkins. Gently blot the top of the pepperoni. This soaks up any extra grease. It makes it taste even better, I promise. Let it sit for five minutes before serving. Then, dig in and enjoy your masterpiece!

Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dinner

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a blank canvas. You can paint it with your favorite flavors. Feel free to get creative and change it up. Here are a few ideas my family loves. They are all so simple and delicious.

The Veggie Lover: Skip the pepperoni. Add chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, and black olives instead.
The Meat Feast: Mix some cooked Italian sausage or ground beef with the pepperoni. So hearty!
The Hawaiian Twist: Add little chunks of ham and some pineapple tidbits. It’s sweet and salty.

I think trying new things keeps dinner exciting. I love reading your ideas. It gives me new inspiration for my own kitchen.

How to Serve Your Masterpiece

This casserole is a full meal by itself. But I always like to add a little something on the side. A simple green salad with a tangy dressing is perfect. The crisp lettuce is so nice with the rich casserole. Some warm, buttery garlic bread is another great choice. You can dip it right into the saucy edges.

What should we drink with it? For the grown-ups, a chilled glass of Chianti wine is lovely. For the kids, or for me on a cozy night, I love ice-cold root beer. The bubbles cut right through the cheese. It’s a perfect match.

Keeping Your Casserole Cozy

Let’s talk about keeping this casserole for later. It stores nicely in the fridge for three days. Just cover the dish tightly with foil.

You can also freeze it for a busy night. I let the whole dish cool down first. Then I wrap it in two layers of plastic wrap.

I once forgot to wrap it well. The freezer air made the noodles dry. We learned our lesson that night!

To reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Warm it in the oven until bubbly. This keeps the noodles from getting mushy.

Batch cooking this saves so much time. It means a hot meal is always ready. This matters on long, tiring days.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Troubles

Sometimes the top cheese does not brown. Your broiler might not be hot enough. Let the oven fully heat up first.

I remember when my pepperoni got too dark. I did not watch it closely enough. Now I set a timer for two minutes.

If your noodles seem sticky, rinse them. Use cool water after you drain them. This stops them from sticking together.

Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. You learn that mistakes are okay. This matters for trying new recipes.

A perfect flavor comes from simple fixes. Blotting the pepperoni makes it less greasy. This makes the whole dish taste better.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Pizza Spaghetti Questions

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use your favorite gluten-free spaghetti noodles. They work just as well.

Q: Can I prepare it ahead of time? A: Absolutely. Assemble the dish and keep it chilled. Bake it when you are ready.

Q: What other ingredients can I use? A: Try cooked sausage or mushrooms. You can use any pizza topping you love.

Q: How do I make a smaller portion? A: Cut the recipe in half. Use an 8×8 baking dish instead.

Q: Any extra tips for the best flavor? A: Let it sit for five minutes after baking. This helps the sauce settle in. *Fun fact: Letting it rest makes every bite creamier.*

Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this recipe brings joy to your table. It is a favorite in my home. The simple layers create such comfort.

I love seeing your kitchen creations. It makes me so happy to see your spin on it. Please share your photos with me.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! Use our handle so I can see your wonderful work. I would be so delighted.

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.