Pepperoni Pizza Spaghetti Bake (The Ultimate Comfort Casserole)

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For years, our “quick spaghetti night” looked the same: brown some hamburger meat, boil some noodles, open a jar of sauce, throw in a handful of cheese, and call it dinner. And honestly? It worked. But once we started playing around with those same basic ingredients — adding pepperoni, fresh onions, real spices, and a trio of melty cheeses — this simple dish turned into something that knocks basic spaghetti straight out of the park.

Back when we lived in Quincy, IL, there was a fast‑food Italian spot called Fazoli’s that served a pepperoni pizza spaghetti that we loved… even though it didn’t come with nearly enough cheese (bless their hearts). So first, we started tossing pepperoni into our spaghetti just to liven things up. Then we began browning onions with the meat, which made the whole kitchen smell like an Italian grandma moved in. Finally, we landed on the perfect blend of basil, Italian seasoning, and smoky cheeses — and suddenly this dish became a full‑blown family favorite.

Serve it with garlic bread and a veggie, and you’ve got a cozy, cheesy, crowd‑pleasing dinner that tastes like nostalgia… but better.

A little kitchen note
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Pepperoni Pizza Spaghetti Bake (The Ultimate Comfort Casserole)
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Pepperoni Pizza Spaghetti Bake (The Ultimate Comfort Casserole)

Recipe by My Southern Spoon (MySouthernSpoon.com)
0.0 from 0 votes

Pepperoni Pizza Spaghetti Bake combines spaghetti, ground beef, pepperoni, sauce, and melted cheeses in a comforting family casserole.

Course: Dinner
Estimated servings: 8

8

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Estimated calories

580

kcal
Total time

40

minutes
Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs hamburger meat

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 22 oz spaghetti sauce (your favorite brand)

  • 13 oz spaghetti

  • 12 pepperoni slices

  • 1 teaspoon basil

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • 1 cup aged smoked cheddar cheese (or Gouda)

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese

  • 1/2 Cup Parmesan

Directions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  • In a large skillet, brown the hamburger meat over medium heat.
  • Add the diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent.
  • Stir in the spaghetti sauce, basil, and Italian seasoning. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions.
  • While the pasta cooks, pour the meat sauce into a 9×13 casserole dish and spread it evenly.
  • Add the pepperoni slices to the same skillet you used for the sauce and warm them briefly to release flavor.
  • Drain the cooked spaghetti and add it directly into the casserole dish, mixing it well with the sauce.
  • Sprinkle the top with smoked cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  • Place the warmed pepperoni on top of the cheese. (Tip: blot the pepperoni with a paper towel first to remove excess grease.)
  • Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the casserole is hot and bubbly.

Equipment

Recipe Video

Thank you

  • We have been making this one since 2007 or so, from our family to yours,
    Mary
    Mary at the Southern Spoon

    If you liked this spaghetti bake, try our Cheesy Cowboy Spaghetti Beef Casserole.
  • Estimated yield: 8 servings, each 1/8 of the casserole. Estimated nutrition: about 580 calories per serving, using 80/20 ground beef, cheddar cheese, and no deduction for drained fat. Values vary with ingredient brands, substitutions, and how much fat is drained.