Mid Week YUMM! – Baked Pizza Pasta
Pizza Night, Reinvented! Meet Your New Favorite Fashion-Friendly Casserole!
Alright, fashion fanatics and foodies alike! We all love a good pizza night, but sometimes, a girl needs something a little cozier, a little more… toss-together chic. Enter your new weeknight hero: a seriously easy and incredibly delicious casserole that brings all those beloved pepperoni pizza vibes straight to your dinner table, no delivery necessary!
Imagine this: fusilli pasta perfectly cooked to absorb every drop of rich, savory tomato sauce. Then, picture gooey, melted cheese stretching delightfully with every forkful, mingling with generous slices of smoky, meaty pepperoni. It’s comfort food with a couture twist – effortless to make, yet utterly satisfying.
And for our veggie-loving trendsetters? This dish is totally adaptable! Simply swap out the pepperoni for a vibrant mix of sliced mushrooms and colorful frozen bell peppers. You’ll still get that incredible flavor profile, just with a delicious plant-based spin.
To complete this culinary masterpiece, we suggest pairing it with a crisp, refreshing Caesar salad. It’s the perfect light, green counterpoint to the rich, cheesy goodness of the casserole, making for a truly balanced and delectable meal.
So, ditch the takeout menu tonight and whip up this fabulous, fuss-free casserole. It’s the perfect way to bring a little extra sparkle to your weeknights, one delicious, fashion-forward bite at a time!
What’s your go-to easy weeknight meal that still feels a little fancy?
Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole-wheat fusilli
- 1 (28-ounce can) no-salt-added crushed tomatoes (3 1/2 cups)
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 4 ounces baby spinach (about 4 cups)
- 1 cup frozen chopped onion
- 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon salt-free tomato-and-basil seasoning, such as Mrs. Dash
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 cups thick-cut shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 4 ounces mini pepperoni slices
Direction
- Position oven rack in center; preheat to 425°F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch broiler-safe baking dish with cooking spray. Combine pasta, tomatoes, water, spinach, onion, basil, tomato-and-basil seasoning, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, pepper and crushed red pepper in the prepared baking dish; toss to mix well, making sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven; stir the mixture. (This will ensure the pasta cooks evenly.) Re-cover with the foil. Bake for 10 minutes. Stir, sprinkle with cheese and dot with pepperoni. Cover and bake until the pasta is tender, about 15 minutes more.
- Remove the foil (without removing the baking dish from the oven) and bake until the cheese is golden brown in spots, about 5 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
| 383 | Calories |
| 14g | Fat |
| 48g | Carbs |
| 20g | Protein |
EatingWell.com
Enjoy this Mid Week YUMM! with some iTunes!
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