Baked Spaghetti Pizza Recipe

If you can’t decide between pizza and pasta, this Pizza Baked Spaghetti brings the best of both worlds. Spaghetti tossed in a rich marinara is mixed with your favorite pizza toppings, layered with plenty of mozzarella and parmesan, and finished with pepperoni for a family-friendly casserole that bakes in about 15 minutes and comes together in under 30.

Pasta is a weeknight lifesaver, and if you love pizza as much as we do, this casserole is a quick way to combine both favorites. It’s highly adaptable — swap, add, or omit toppings to suit your family’s tastes. Prep takes about 14 minutes and the casserole bakes in 15, making this an ideal 29-minute meal for busy evenings.

The base is simple: al dente spaghetti, plenty of saucy marinara, and pizza-style toppings like Italian sausage, red pepper, and pepperoni. A blanket of mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan deliver the gooey, savory finish everyone expects from a pizza — but in pasta form.

Ingredients

• Spaghetti noodles – 16 ounces. You can substitute penne, rotini, or ziti if you prefer.
• Marinara sauce – about 4 cups. Use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade.
• Fully cooked Italian sausage links – 12 ounces, sliced. Using fully cooked sausage keeps this recipe quick. If you prefer loose sausage, cook and crumble it first.
• Red bell pepper – 1 cup, diced. Adds color and crunch; other vegetables work well too.
• Mozzarella cheese – 2 cups shredded (low-moisture preferred for best melting).
• Parmesan cheese – 1 cup, finely grated for the best texture and flavor.
• Pepperonis – about 24 slices, optional for a classic pizza look and taste.

Instructions

The steps are straightforward: cook the pasta, combine it with sauce and toppings, top with cheese and pepperoni, then bake until bubbly. Photos below illustrate key steps.

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
3. In a large mixing bowl, toss the drained spaghetti with the marinara sauce, sliced cooked sausage, and diced red bell pepper until evenly coated.
4. Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13-inch (23 x 33 cm) baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
5. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan evenly over the top.
6. Place pepperoni slices in an even layer over the cheese, if using.
7. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbly. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving, if desired.

Substitutions and variations

• Vegetarian: Replace the sausage with 12 ounces of sliced baby bella or white button mushrooms and omit the pepperoni.
• Supreme-style: Add cooked diced bacon, diced green pepper, diced onion, and sliced mushrooms alongside the sausage and red pepper for a fully loaded version.
• Meat-lovers: Swap some or all of the bell pepper for cooked bacon, diced ham, meatballs, or cooked Italian-seasoned ground beef.
• Ground beef option: If using ground beef instead of sausage, brown and drain about 1 pound of beef, then season with Italian seasoning before adding to the pasta.
• Veggie swaps: Use green peppers, onions, olives, mushrooms, or jalapeños — any favorite pizza vegetable (about 1 cup total).

Recipe tips

• Make ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Pizza sauce option: If you prefer pizza sauce, stir in 1–2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to boost the flavor.
• Reduce pepperoni grease: For less surface grease, briefly cook pepperoni slices 2–3 minutes per side in a skillet and blot on paper towels before topping the casserole.
• No pepperoni: The dish is still delicious without pepperoni, so feel free to skip it.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free spaghetti or another GF pasta to adapt this recipe.

How to store and reheat

Store leftover pizza baked spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To reheat on the stove: place the portion in a saucepan over medium heat and stir gently until warmed through, about 5–10 minutes.

To reheat in the microwave: place in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway through for even heating.

What to serve with it

This casserole is satisfying on its own, but pairs beautifully with simple sides to round out the meal. Consider:

• Buttery garlic bread or cheesy pull-apart rolls
• A green salad such as Caesar or a mixed greens salad with vinaigrette
• Roasted or steamed vegetables like broccolini or roasted garlic broccoli
• Air-fried or baked mozzarella sticks for a kid-friendly addition

More easy Italian recipes

If you enjoy this dish, try other simple Italian meals such as garlic parmesan chicken pasta, meatball soup, instant pot risotto, pizza rolls, easy bolognese meat sauce, or an Italian-style polenta casserole for more weeknight inspiration.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Meatball Soup

Instant Pot Risotto

Pizza Rolls

Easy Bolognese Meat Sauce with Roasted Tomatoes

Italian Polenta Ground Turkey Casserole

Nutrition (approximate per serving)

• Calories: 740 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 68 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Fat: 36 g (Saturated fat: 16 g)
• Sodium: 1822 mg

This Pizza Baked Spaghetti is an easy, flexible casserole that turns pantry staples and favorite pizza toppings into a comforting family meal. Customize the proteins and vegetables to suit your household and enjoy a crowd-pleasing dish that’s simple to prepare and hard to resist.