Cheesy Pizza Casserole
Course: Casserole, Main CourseThe Cheesy Pizza Casserole is a calorie-dense dish, heavily laden with carbohydrates and fats. As its name suggests, it transforms pasta into a pizza-inspired concoction. While it’s a flavorful indulgence, it’s not a dietary staple due to its nutritional profile.
Historically, this dish originates from the late 19th century when Italian immigrants influenced American cuisine.
To make it, sauté onions and garlic, then add Italian sausages, breaking them into mince. Mix in tomato paste and pizza sauce, creating a rich, pizza-like sauce. Toss this with cooked pasta.
In a baking dish, layer the saucy sausage mixture, top it with pasta, and finish with Mozzarella cheese and Pepperoni slices. Bake until it’s bubbling and fragrant.
The result is a satisfying, hearty casserole with flavors reminiscent of pizza. While it’s a delightful treat, it’s not a daily choice due to its calorie and fat content. This dish, however, celebrates the enduring fusion of Italian and American culinary traditions.
Historically, this dish originates from the late 19th century when Italian immigrants influenced American cuisine.
To make it, sauté onions and garlic, then add Italian sausages, breaking them into mince. Mix in tomato paste and pizza sauce, creating a rich, pizza-like sauce. Toss this with cooked pasta.
In a baking dish, layer the saucy sausage mixture, top it with pasta, and finish with Mozzarella cheese and Pepperoni slices. Bake until it’s bubbling and fragrant.
The result is a satisfying, hearty casserole with flavors reminiscent of pizza. While it’s a delightful treat, it’s not a daily choice due to its calorie and fat content. This dish, however, celebrates the enduring fusion of Italian and American culinary traditions.
Ingredients
100 g (3.5 oz) grated Mozzarella
500 g (1.1 lbs) Italian sausages
150 g (5.3 oz) of any pasta (I use Rigatoni)
100 g (3.5 oz) grated Parmesan
200 g (7.1 oz) tomato paste
200 g (7.1 oz) pizza sauce
1 chopped white onion
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp of Italian seasoning
1 tsp of smoked paprika
20 thin slices of Pepperoni or Chorizo
3 tbsp olive oil
Fresh basil leaves
Directions
- Saute onion and garlic in olive oil for 1-2 minutes.
- Add peeled sausages and spices to the pan with the onions. Cook the sausages until golden brown, breaking them into mince with your spatula.
- Now add the tomato pizza sauce and regular tomato paste. Cook the mixture stirring constantly over medium heat, for about 5 minutes until it thickens.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain off excess water and set aside in a deep bowl.
- Add grated Parmesan to your pasta
- Take a baking dish. Place minced sausage and tomato sauce on the bottom.
- Gently spread the pasta mix on top.
- Add grated cheese and finally place the Pepperoni sausage on top. Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 220 degrees C° (430 F) for 25 minutes.
- When your pizza casserole is ready to serve, garnish it with fresh basil leaves.
