So, when I made this awesome Baked Pizza Pasta on Sunday, this was my view outside:
So, so gross. I don’t like this second winter thing. But it certainly was a great backdrop for this comfy, cozy baked pasta dish, don’t ya think? And even now, when the forecast for today is in the 50s, I’d still eat this. It just might even be my lunch!
I know there are a million recipes out there for pizza pastas, but since I really think it’s the sauce that makes a pizza, I decided to concentrate on the sauce and let the rest come to me. Instead of using a bottled spaghetti sauce, I whipped up a quick and easy pantry pasta sauce out of canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and load of herbs and seasonings. Feel free to add and subtract from my choices as you see fit–this is very adaptable. I’ve made many homemade pasta and pizza sauces, and find that we like using dried herbs instead of fresh here, but again, do what suits you. Then, I tossed in some hot Italian sausage, salty pepperoni [Ben’s fav!], some bell peppers [that I LOVE!], and a little onion. Add in curly rotini pasta and lots of mozzarella cheese, and you have yourself one heck of a pasta dinner! Very adaptable, very forgiving, very delicious.
We’ve been eating this all week long, so I can testify to the fact that it heats up beautifully and even tastes better the next [and the next next next next] day. Yum-o! Next time I make this, I might increase the amount of sauce [or use a little less pasta], so keep that in mind if you wanna make this saucier, but really, we thought this was perfect as is. Fresh and flavorful like pizza, just in a more comfort food friendly form. Enjoy!
P.S. You have my permission to serve this at Easter dinner. I totally think that would be great. 🙂
Baked Pizza Pasta [TPC original]
click to print
Ingredients:
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried onion
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 pound rotini
- 8 ounces hot Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 ounces pepperoni [reserve 5-10 slices for topping]
- 1 cup diced bell peppers [I used red, yellow, and orange]
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded [reserve about 2 ounces for topping]
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, then begin by bringing a large pot of water to boil to cook the pasta.
In a saucepan set over medium heat, combine crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, and oil with all dried herbs and seasonings. Stir sauce occasionally and heat thoroughly.
Meanwhile, begin browning the sausage in a small skillet, breaking up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. When sausage is fully cooked, remove to a plate and use a paper towel to blot up some of the grease from the pan. Add onions to the hot skillet and cook over medium-low heat about 7 minutes or until soft.
When pasta water is boiling, add rotini and cook to al dente. Drain and return to pan, then add sauce, sausage, onion, pepperoni [minus reserved pepperoni], peppers, and about 6 ounces shredded cheese. Stir together then transfer to a 9×13 baking dish. Top with reserved cheese and pepperoni.
Bake for 20 minutes or until hot.
Time: 50 minutes.
Yield: 10-12 servings.
Linked up with: Weekend Potluck.
The Pajama Chef 
Such a fun idea! Brrr…I hope it gets warmer there!!
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thanks! it’s starting to….
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Sounds great Sarah. Thanks
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Mmm now you’ve got me craving this version of pizza pasta!! Love how it’s all baked and gooey and cheesy.
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thanks joanne!
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What a Gorgeous View! And yes the perfect backdrop for your great recipe!
Wishing you a very Blessed Holiday
Lori
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thank you, lorie!
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I don’t think you can ever go wrong with baked pizza pasta with homemade sauce this looks amazing! I found you through the weekend potluck! Have a fabulous Friday!
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thanks serena! the sauce was the best part!
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This pizza pasta bake looks amazing!! I need to try this with vegan “sausage!” 🙂
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yes, i’m sure that would be great! or even tons of veggies. mmm 🙂
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Same weather here! Now, it’s sunny and almost 50, this weekend calling for 50’s…woot! Your pizza pasta sounds terrific! I think I would concentrate on the sauce too and just add whatever else you want 🙂
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yep, the sauce is amazing so that would totally work!
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Oh, yum! Talk about a comfort dish. Definitely pinning this!
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thanks tina!
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Looks fabulous, and a perfect way to spend a blustery 2nd winter day! We had it come through again then it warmed up for Easter, and it’s supposed to snow again tomorrow. Spring is really hesitant this year-lol.
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thanks veronica! your weather sounds identical to ours- super nice yesterday on easter, but it’s already snowing a little here…fortunately not sticking though.
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Yum! I’ve never had pizza pasta, and since my usual beef with pizza tends to be the excess bread, I think pasta is a great sub!
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thanks ashley! you’re right- some pizza is so bread-y that it’s overwhelming!
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I am *definitely* going to be making this for my husband–he will love it!!
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let me know what you think if you try it out!! 🙂
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I am so making this! I have marjoram on my spice rack and have never had a recipe to use it for haha! Plus it looks really yummy too 🙂
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haha i love marjoram 🙂
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I recently made pizza pasta bake too, but used the premade sauce, I definitely want to try it using homemade sauce next time! Yours looks fabulous!
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thank you stephanie!!
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