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When you can’t decide between two of your comfort food favorites, why not have both? Spaghetti pizza brings the best of pasta and pizza together in one cheesy, saucy, baked dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or laid-back gatherings. With savory sausage, gooey cheese and crispy pepperoni all baked on a spaghetti base, it’s hearty, satisfying and totally crave-worthy. This is one of those meals that makes everyone ask for seconds. And maybe even thirds.
Spaghetti pizza combines your two favorite dinners into one comforting dish. With sausage, sauce, cheese, and pepperoni layered over pasta, it’s a total crowd-pleaser.
You might also like spaghetti pie, pizza sliders, pizza bagel bites, and air fryer pizza dogs.
Why You’ll Love It
Quick and easy to make: Simple ingredients and one baking dish mean less fuss and more flavor. It’s a great weeknight meal.
Family-friendly: Kids and grownups alike love this fun twist on classic dinners. The recipe combines the comfort of pasta with the savory goodness of pizza.
Customizable: Switch up the toppings or meat in the original recipe to suit your taste and make the dish personalized.
Perfect for leftovers: It reheats beautifully and makes a tasty next-day lunch.
Spaghetti Pizza Casserole Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Spaghetti: The base of the dish, giving it structure and bite.
Italian sausage: Adds rich, savory flavor and pairs perfectly with the seasonings.
Seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder layer the sausage with herby, aromatic flavor, while red pepper flakes add a little heat to balance the richness.
Spaghetti sauce: Binds everything together with sweet, tangy tomato flavor. You can use any pasta sauce, pizza sauce or even homemade garlic marinara.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey, stretchy perfection across the top.
Pepperoni slices: Give it that signature pizza vibe.
Parsley: Adds a pop of color and a touch of freshness.
Nonstick cooking spray: To grease the baking dish.
How to Make Spaghetti Pizza
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Cook the pasta: Add spaghetti to a large pot of boiling water and cook over a medium heat until al dente. Drain the spaghetti.
Cook the sausage: Brown the sausage in a pot with all the dried seasonings, stirring occasionally (you can do this while the pasta cooks) until the meat is no longer pink.
Mix everything together: Add cooked spaghetti, sauce and shredded mozzarella to the pot and toss to combine.
Assemble the dish: Spread the noodle mixture into a prepared baking dish, then top more mozzarella in an even layer. Add the pepperoni (plus any of your favorite pizza toppings you want!)
Bake and serve: Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then sprinkle over some parsley and dig in!
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version of this pizza spaghetti dish, use gluten-free spaghetti noodles (these are pretty good!)
Change the protein: Swap sausage for ground beef, ground pork or ground turkey.
Vegetarian version: Swap the sausage for a vegetarian protein option.
Pepperoni: You can use turkey pepperoni or swap this ingredient for cooked chicken or something else. You could also cook some bacon in a large skillet, then chop and use that (keep in mind bacon is salty so you might want to use less salt in the spaghetti mixture).
Spaghetti: Use any pasta shapes instead. I don’t recommend delicate noodles like angel hair which are better in lighter sauces, but more sturdy ones like tagliatelle, penne, conchiglie, or fusilli would be fine.
Use different cheeses: Try a mix of mozzarella and provolone, or add a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese on top.
Herbs and seasonings: Use freshly chopped fresh basil instead of parsley and swap the salt and garlic powder for garlic salt. You can also adjust the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them completely to change the spiciness.
Additional toppings: Include bell peppers, mushrooms or olives for a pizza supreme-style twist, or any other toppings you like.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Begin your Italian inspired meal with antipasto skewers and homemade focaccia with a balsamic and olive oil dip.
Side dishes: Serve up your pizza spaghetti bake with a charred zucchini salad and perhaps some garlic bread.
Desserts: Finish off with this strawberry tiramisu or maybe lemon pizzelle cookies (or both!)
How to Store Spaghetti Pizza Casserole
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Another idea is to freeze the spaghetti casserole before baking and then bake it after it’s thawed.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in the oven or in the microwave.
Top Tips
Drain the sausage well: This keeps the dish from getting greasy.
Undercook the pasta slightly: Al dente is perfect, as the spaghetti will finish cooking in the oven without turning mushy.
Shred your own cheese: It melts better and gives a smoother texture than pre-shredded.
Spaghetti Pizza Bake FAQs
Yes, you can assemble it a day in advance and bake when ready. Just add a few minutes to the baking time because it will be cold from the fridge.
Any jarred or homemade sauce will work. Choose one with herbs or garlic for extra flavor.
Baked Pizza Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Spaghetti Pizza
Equipment
- Pot Large
- Baking Dish 9 x 13-Inch
Ingredients
- 12 Ounces spaghetti, cooked and drained
- 1 Pound Italian sausage
- 1 Teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ Teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ Teaspoon kosher salt, coarse
- 24 Ounces spaghetti sauce
- 3 Cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 18 Slices pepperoni
- nonstick cooking spray, as needed
- 2 Teaspoons parsley, freshly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot following the directions on the package, about 10 minutes, then drain.
- While the pasta is cooking in a large pot, cook the sausage and dried ingredients for 7 minutes or until the sausage is no longer pink.
- To the pot add the pasta, spaghetti sauce and 1 cup of the mozzarella, and toss until everything is incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Top the spaghetti with the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella.
- Top the cheese with the pepperoni
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the spaghetti is heated all the way through.
- Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and serve.
Notes
Undercook the pasta slightly: Al dente is perfect, as the spaghetti will finish cooking in the oven without turning mushy.
Shred your own cheese: It melts better and gives a smoother texture than pre-shredded.
Nutrition
Spaghetti pizza is a fun and delicious twist on two classic favorites. The combination of spaghetti and pizza toppings creates a great flavor experience. The spaghetti forms a savory base that holds up well under layers of cheese and toppings. Pepperoni, mozzarella, and a sprinkle of herbs bring the perfect balance of flavor. Whether you’re craving pizza or pasta, this dish offers the best of both worlds. It’s easy to make and guaranteed to satisfy everyone at the table.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
