Description
This Loaded Pizza Spaghetti Bake is a delicious fusion dish combining classic pizza flavors with hearty spaghetti pasta. Ground beef, bacon, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese unite with seasoned sauces and vegetables to create a comforting, cheesy casserole that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 225 grams spaghetti noodles
Meat and Toppings
- 450 grams ground beef
- 180 grams cooked bacon crumbles
- 15 slices pepperoni
Vegetables
- 70 grams red onion, diced
- 30 grams mushrooms, sliced
- 30 grams black olives, sliced
Cheese
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
Sauces and Seasonings
- 400 grams pizza sauce
- 680 grams pasta sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Prepare the spaghetti noodles in boiling salted water following the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside to use later.
- Brown Meat & Vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef, diced red onion, and sliced mushrooms. Sauté until the beef is fully browned and cooked through. Remove any excess fat from the skillet.
- Season Mixture: Stir in the Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt evenly into the browned beef and vegetable mixture to enhance the flavor.
- Incorporate Sauces & Bacon: Add several slices of pepperoni, most of the cooked bacon crumbles, pizza sauce, and pasta sauce to the skillet. Mix everything thoroughly and let the mixture simmer gently to blend the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti noodles to the skillet and toss carefully to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce, meat, and toppings.
- Assemble and Top: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta mixture. Then top with the remaining bacon crumbles, diced red onion, sliced black olives, sliced mushrooms, and remaining pepperoni slices for added texture and flavor.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet contents or pour the pasta mixture into a baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 10 minutes to melt the cheese and heat through.
- Broil and Serve: Broil the baked pasta for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Serve the dish warm for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy after baking.
- Use a skillet that is oven-safe if baking and broiling directly in it.
- Adjust the amount of pepperoni and bacon to your taste preference.
- You can substitute mozzarella with a blend of Italian cheeses for more depth.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.