Pizza Casserole

Name: Pizza Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6-8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 16-ounce packages Grandma’s Noodles, thawed; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion, peeled and diced; 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced; 1 tsp fennel seeds; 2 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp red pepper flakes; 2 tsp Italian seasoning mix; Pinch sea salt; 1 pound package lean grassfed ground beef; 2 jars pizza sauce (4 cups total); 1 package shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup pepperoni slices; Chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Judy Doherty

Servings

6-8

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Cuisine

American

Category

Comfort Food

There’s nothing quite like a cozy, cheesy casserole to bring everyone to the table, and this pizza casserole with Grandma’s Noodles is exactly that kind of magic. It’s hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy to throw together, making it a go-to meal for busy weeknights, weekend gatherings, or whenever you need to feed a hungry crowd fast. Whether you're hosting a casual get-together, attending a potluck, or just looking for something the whole family will actually agree on, this recipe checks every box.

What makes this casserole stand out is the use of Grandma’s Frozen Noodles, which are thicker, heartier, and more flavorful than your standard pasta. These wide egg noodles add a satisfying bite that holds up beautifully to rich pizza sauce and melted cheese. Unlike traditional pasta dishes that can get soggy or lost in heavy sauces, Grandma’s Noodles stay firm and delicious, even after baking—making them the perfect base for this casserole.

This dish is a celebration of everything we love about pizza. Gooey cheese, savory sauce, and pepperoni galore, combined with the comfort of a noodle bake. It’s loaded with Italian-inspired flavors like fennel, garlic, and a touch of spice from red pepper flakes, giving it just the right amount of kick without being too spicy for the kiddos. You can even mix it up by adding mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers if your crew loves more toppings.

Another great thing about this recipe is that it’s super flexible. You can prep it ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you're ready to bake. It also reheats like a dream, making leftovers just as tasty the next day (if there are any!). For busy families, it’s a lifesaver: cook once, eat twice.

We love serving this pizza casserole year-round. In the winter, it’s the ultimate comfort food—warm, cheesy, and filling. In the summer, it’s the kind of dish you can pop in the oven after a day at the lake or bring to a neighborhood potluck without a ton of fuss. It’s kid-friendly, adult-approved, and guaranteed to disappear fast.

The best part? It only takes about 20–25 minutes to make. That’s right—from start to finish, you can have this bubbling beauty on the table in under half an hour. It’s the kind of meal that feels like you spent hours on it, but it’s actually simple and straightforward. Just cook your noodles, make a quick meat sauce, layer everything in a baking dish, and top it off with cheese and pepperoni. Ten minutes in the oven, and dinner is served.

Ingredients

2 16-ounce packages Grandma’s Noodles, thawed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 tsp fennel seeds
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp Italian seasoning mix
Pinch sea salt
1 pound package lean grassfed ground beef
2 jars pizza sauce (4 cups total)
1 package shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup pepperoni slices
Chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Strain in colander, rinse lightly, and reserve.
Place a large Dutch oven pan on the stove over medium heat. Add the olive oil and allow to get hot. Add the onions and garlic and saute for about 2-4 minutes or until the onion is translucent and the garlic begins to brown.
Stir in the seasonings. Add the beef and chop and mix.
When the beef is almost done, add the pizza sauce. Continue to stir and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes.
Stir the noodles into the sauce. Pour the mixture into a 9x12” rectangular baking pan. Top with cheese and pepperoni. Sprinkle with a little olive oil.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Bake in the oven until the cheese melts, about 10 minutes.
Serve hot and garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.