1. Preheat the oven and prepare the casserole dish:
– Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Cook the pasta:
– Fill a large pot with water and generously season it with salt. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
3. Cook the sausage:
– Slice the sausage links in half lengthwise and then into 1/2-inch thick half-moons.
– Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and add the sausages. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring every 1 to 2 minutes, until evenly browned. If using raw sausages, they may crumble slightly, which is fine.
– Remove the skillet from the heat and drain excess grease by tilting the skillet and scooping it out with a spoon.
4. Prepare the sauce:
– In a large bowl, combine the marinara sauce, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, dried basil, and dried oregano. Stir well to combine. Alternatively, you can mix these ingredients in the same pot used to cook the pasta.
5. Combine the filling:
– Add the cooked pasta and sausage to the bowl with the sauce. Then, add the chopped bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, and black olives. Use two large spoons to toss everything together until evenly coated with the sauce.
6. **Assemble the casserole:
– Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top and arrange the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.
7. Bake and serve:
– Tightly cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
– Remove the foil and switch the oven to broil on high for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and lightly browned. Watch closely to prevent burning.
– Allow the casserole to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Enjoy this flavorful and hearty Pizza Casserole!
