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Bubbly pizza casserole with pepperoni slices and the signature crispy deep dish edge technique.

Deep Dish Pizza Casserole

Rebecca Blumer
A hearty and comforting deep-dish style pizza casserole featuring tender egg noodles, a rich savory meat sauce, and a signature crispy cheese crust around the edges. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or feeding a hungry crowd.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

  • 2-quart casserole dish
  • Medium skillet
  • Large Pot

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups uncooked egg noodles
  • 0.5 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 16 ounces pizza sauce
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni sausage
  • 0.25 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions
 

Boil the pasta

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil over high heat.
  • Add 2 cups uncooked egg noodles and cook until tender but still a little firm, about 7 to 9 minutes. Drain well and let the steam escape so they do not over-soften.

Heat the oven and build the savory base

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Warm a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef, chopped onion, chopped green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook and stir until the beef is browned and crumbly and the vegetables are softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the drained noodles, pizza sauce, pepperoni slices, and milk. Fold the mixture until everything is evenly coated and glossy.

Assemble and bake until bubbly

  • Pour the mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish, spreading it firmly to the edges and corners to ensure even caramelization.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the center is steaming hot.
  • Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and just starting to turn golden brown.

Notes

Crispy Edge Secret: For a Detroit-style frico crust, lightly grease the dish and dust the bottom and sides with Parmesan cheese before adding the pasta mixture. The cheese fries against the hot dish to create a savory, crackly rim.
Cooking the Beef: Ensure the ground beef is thoroughly browned to develop deep flavor through the Maillard reaction. Skipping the drain after browning can lead to a greasy layer underneath the casserole.
Al Dente Pasta: Stop boiling the egg noodles about 2 minutes early. Since starch continues to swell in the oven, this ensures the pasta maintains a perfect bite rather than becoming fragile.
Reheating Tip: When reheating leftovers, add a tiny splash of water or extra sauce before microwaving. This creates steam that keeps the noodles plush and prevents them from drying out.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 24gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 950mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 12IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 210mgIron: 4mg
Keyword cheesy pasta bake, Pepperoni, pizza casserole, Weeknight Dinner
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