Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake Crowdpleaser (Print Version)
Penne pasta baked with mozzarella, bacon, sausage, Canadian bacon, and pepperoni in rich marinara sauce.
# Ingredients:
→ Meats
01 -
6 slices bacon, chopped
02 -
1 pound Italian sausage
03 -
1 ounce pepperoni slices, plus extra for topping
04 -
6 ounces Canadian bacon, divided
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
05 -
1 green bell pepper, diced
06 -
1/2 cup red onion, diced
07 -
4 garlic cloves, minced
→ Pasta
08 -
1 pound penne pasta, cooked just under al dente
→ Sauce and Seasonings
09 -
24 ounces marinara or pizza sauce
10 -
1/4 cup water (to rinse sauce jar)
11 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
12 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
13 -
Red pepper flakes, optional
→ Cheeses
14 -
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 -
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 -
Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, then set aside and drain the grease.
03 -
In the same pan, brown Italian sausage with diced green bell pepper and red onion, reserving a spoonful of vegetables for topping.
04 -
Stir in minced garlic, pepperoni slices, and half the Canadian bacon. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 -
Add marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir well and let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
06 -
Gently fold in cooked penne pasta and half of the cooked bacon pieces.
07 -
Transfer mixture to a large baking dish. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, then top with 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella. Layer reserved vegetables, remaining bacon, remaining Canadian bacon, and extra pepperoni on top. Finish with remaining mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
08 -
Bake uncovered for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 -
Serve hot, garnished with additional red pepper flakes as desired.
# Notes:
01 -
For the best texture, cook the penne pasta just under al dente, as it will finish cooking in the oven.