Meat Lovers Casserole is a delicious dish made with al dente pasta, ground beef, pepperoni, marinara sauce, and two kinds of cheese, baked to perfection! When craving a hearty and cheesy pasta bake, this will surely be one of your go-to recipes! I also have an Easy Pizza Casserole the entire family will love!

A pan of Meat Lovers Casserole on a wooden table with a wooden spoon from overhead.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Pasta: I used rotini pasta in this casserole. Its corkscrew shape is perfect for holding onto all the sauce and cheesy goodness in the dish! You could use the pasta you have on hand. Or, make homemade shaped pasta to use!

Meat: I added both ground beef and pepperoni to the casserole. You could certainly substitute Italian sausage for the ground beef if preferred.

Cheese: For ooey-gooey cheesy goodness, I added mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese. You could experiment with other kinds of cheese, too!

Marinara Sauce: Choose your favorite brand of marinara sauce or make it homemade. Pizza sauce also works for more of a pizza casserole vibe.

Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning enhances the overall Italian-inspired taste of the dish.

What To Serve With Meat Lovers Casserole

Since this will be a recipe you will want to make on repeat, here are some delicious side dishes to serve with the casserole:

Spoon picking up a bite of Meat Lovers Casserole from the pan with lots of gooey cheese.

Can I Bake This In An Oven-Safe Skillet?

Yes! If you prefer, you can use a large oven-safe skillet like cast iron to bake the casserole. If using an oven-safe skillet, follow the instructions as written. Then, instead of transferring the contents to a baking dish, just leave them in the oven-safe skillet and pop it into the oven! Watch the casserole carefully as baking times may need to be adjusted if using a different pan.

How To Store Meat Lovers Casserole

To store meat lovers casserole, first, let it cool completely. Next, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 3-4 days. Reheat the casserole in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven.

Meat Lovers Casserole, similar to pizza hotdish, on plates on a wooden table.

Freezer-Friendly Meat Lovers Casserole

This recipe is a good one to prepare and freeze until you are ready to bake it! To freeze the casserole, first, prepare it according to the instructions, but do not bake it in the oven. Instead, transfer the ingredients to a freezer-safe container. (I like to use a disposable, aluminum foil baking dish.) Next, cover it tightly with aluminum foil. Label the dish with the date and baking instructions. Freeze the casserole for up to 2-3 months. When ready to bake, let the casserole thaw in the refrigerator overnight. If baking from frozen, you will need to extend the baking time.

5 from 7 votes

Meat Lovers Casserole

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Meat Lovers Casserole is a delicious dish made with al dente pasta, ground beef, pepperoni, marinara sauce, and two kinds of cheese, baked to perfection! When you are craving a hearty and cheesy pasta bake, this will surely be one of your go-to recipes!

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Ingredients

▢ 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions, drained
▢ 1 pound ground beef
▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
▢ ¼ teaspoon pepper
▢ 1 cup (138 g) pepperoni slices
▢ 2 cups (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
▢ 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
▢ 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
To a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef. Season with salt and pepper and cook until no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat. Drain any excess grease.
To the same skillet with the ground beef, add cooked pasta, pepperoni slices, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. Mix well and pour into the baking dish.
Top with the other cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly. Let rest a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.