This Pizza Pasta Casserole is high in protein, low in carbs, and a great addition to your weekly meal prep.
Pizza Pasta Casserole
Okay, I'll admit it: this recipe sounds heavy. Each word in the title has the potential to conjure up images of high-calorie comfort food (not that there's anything wrong with that).
But I'm here to tell you that this particular three-word combination represents a dish that's big on flavor but also designed to fit right into a healthy, macro-friendly nutrition plan. That, and you get to eat pasta that tastes like pizza, so... a win by any standard.
Pizza Casserole Recipe
This pizza casserole recipe is...
- family friendly (a crowd pleaser!)
- easy to make (check out the recipe below!)
- lower carb (about as much as an apple!)
- higher protein (almost 40g per serving!)
- great for meal prep (keeps a long time!)
That's a lot going for it. What's the catch? I can't find one.
Low Carb Pizza Casserole
Let's take a look at the full breakdown of calories and macros:
- Calories: 370kcal
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Protein: 39g
- Fat: 14g
Someone might say that 27 grams isn't low-carb, but the truth is that low-carb depends on what your goals are, and 27g is really not very much in the pasta-pizza realm. It's about as much as you'd get in a medium-sized apple.
Pizza Pasta Casserole Ingredients
What goes into this pizza pasta casserole? I'm glad you asked:
- banza rotini pasta
- turkey pepperoni
- 93% lean ground beef
- pasta sauce
- reduced fat mozzarella cheese
- italian seasoning
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
- pepper
- optional: red pepper flakes, fresh basil
There's not too much to complain about here. You can see why this recipe even appeals to the pickier eaters—whether they're children or not!
Pizza Casserole Instructions
I keep telling you this is easy. But I know you just want to know what you've got to do to get it done. Here's what's involved:
Prep
- Gather all ingredients.
- Add all of the seasonings (italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, & pepper) to a small bowl. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Heat a large pot of salted water on the stovetop.
Cook
- Cook pasta following the directions on the box. Strain & set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef. Cook until no pink, about 7 minutes.
- Add seasoning mixture to the meat. Mix to coat. Take off heat.
- In a large bowl, add the cooked noodles, cooked meat and pasta sauce. Stir together well.
Bake
- Grease a large casserole dish.
- Pour in the pizza pasta mixture.
- Layer with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices.
- Bake at 350 for 15 mins.
- Top with red pepper flakes and fresh basil.
Enjoy
- Enjoy!
Does pasta go with pizza?
Does peanut butter go with jelly? Pizza and pasta naturally play nice together. Much of what makes a good pasta dish can also take a pizza to the next level. Try this dish once and you'll see why.
How many calories are in a pizza casserole?
This low carb pizza casserole has 370 calories per serving.
Looking for more pasta recipes?
Jordo's World has you covered:
Pizza Pasta Casserole
Equipment
- oven
- casserole dish
- striner
- skillet
- pot
Ingredients
- 8 oz banza rotini pasta
- 2 oz turkey pepperoni
- 1 lb 93% lean ground beef
- 24 oz pasta sauce any seasoning
- ½ cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- optional: red pepper flakes fresh basil
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients.
- Add all of the seasonings (italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, & pepper) to a small bowl. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Heat a large pot of salted water on the stovetop.
- Cook pasta following the directions on the box. Strain & set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef. Cook until no pink, about 7 minutes.
- Add seasoning mixture to the meat. Mix to coat. Take off heat.
- In a large bowl, add the cooked noodles, cooked meat and pasta sauce. Stir together well.
- Grease a large casserole dish.
- Pour in the pizza pasta mixture.
- Layer with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices.
- Bake at 350 for 15 mins.
- Top with red pepper flakes and fresh basil.
- Enjoy!
Leah S says
You can give everything you love 5 stars right??? This again was the most simple recipe to follow. I don’t even know how she does it! I used turkey pepperoni and a diff brand of the pea pasta and WOW still just blown away at the flavor combination and creativity. Lasts for a few days and reheats so easily!
Sharon says
So easy. So good. It was a crowd pleaser, and I'll definitely be making it again.
Steph says
So simple and flavorful! The seasoning blend is so good and I love that you can add things such as onion, peppers, etc. to customize your cassarole.
Marissa says
This is absolutely hands down one of my favorite recipes that I’ve made regularly since trying it. It’s so flavorful, filling, and just straight up delicious. I also like that I can add random things to it to vary it… especially since I’ve made it like 3x in February lol. 10/10 have already recommended 🙌
Jordan Smith says
Hi Marissa, thanks for such a glowing review! I'm so glad this is a new favorite of yours. Hope there are some leftovers you can keep on enjoying the meal this week!
Haley says
SO GOOD! And the best part... so easy. This will be on repeat forever!
Hannah says
Winner!! I added red pepper and mushrooms and onion and my picky hubby loved as well as me! Love all your recipes Jordan!!
Jordan Smith says
Hey Hannah, love that you added extra veggies to this!! It sounds like a delicious supreme pizza! So glad you and your husband enjoyed.
Elizabeth says
Our fave! We love to load this up with additional veggies - spinach, bell pepper, mushrooms, etc! It’s delicious!! And such an easy dinner on a busy weeknight! Plus we usually keep a lot of these ingredients on hand so it doesn’t require a special trip to the store!
Jordan Smith says
Great idea to add in extra veggies! This recipe definitely allows for flexibility in adding and swapping ingredients.
Traci Ockomon says
So easy and delicious! I even have my college kiddo preparing this while away from home.
Jordan Smith says
So glad you enjoy this recipe! If you're looking for something similar, I'd recommend the sloppy joe casserole!
Audra says
Great recipe! I added in some spinach at the end of cooking the meat to hide some veggies in there. Super simple and great macros!
Ali Seibel says
Is this recipe freezable before or after baking? Getting ready for ACL surgery and trying to do some prep!
Jordan Smith says
Hi Ali, you could easily freeze this recipe once it's finished baking! The reheating process would be super quick in the microwave 🙂 I'm wishing you the best for your surgery!!
Jamee Brick says
Really good! I think next time I’ll add different pizza toppings, like mushrooms or black olives. It was a bit too much Italian seasoning for me, but my family loved it!
Sarah says
Pizza and casserole, yes please! Came out so good!
Amanda says
Quick, easy, and so, so good!!
Addison says
Hi, I was recalculating the macros to change to a different noodle. An 8oz box of Banza Rotini Noodles has 240 carbs. This recipe has 27 carbs per serving, which totals to 162 carbs for the whole recipe. If the whole box of Banza pasta noodles are included in the recipe, how are the total carbs of the recipe 78 carbs less than the box of pasta that is in the recipe? I am just trying to understand to track accurately. Thanks!