Name: Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 12 oz fusilli pasta; 1 lb bulk Italian sausage (sweet or hot); 1 medium onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced; 8 oz cremini mushrooms, quartered; 1 ½ tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp red pepper flakes; 2 tsp dried basil; 1 ½ tsp dried oregano; 3 15-oz cans strained tomatoes (or tomato sauce); 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; ½ cup (about 4 oz) sliced pepperoni

Nothing beats the cozy comfort of a bubbling casserole straight from the oven, especially when it’s loaded with melty cheese, spicy sausage, and classic pizza flavors. This Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to because it’s like pizza and pasta had the best baby ever—delicious, easy, and downright satisfying.

The image shows a black rectangular baking dish filled with baked pasta. The dish has three main layers visible: a base layer of red tomato sauce mixed with small green and brown pieces, a middle layer of spiral pasta coated with sauce, and a top layer covered with melted white cheese and round slices of pepperoni evenly spread across the surface. Part of the pasta has been scooped out, revealing the layered texture inside. Nearby, on the white marbled surface, two white plates are stacked with two forks on top, and a glass with a dark red drink is placed close to the bottom left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the first time I made this Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe, I was hooked on how it captures all those pizza flavors without any fuss. Plus, it’s a recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate — perfect for family dinners or feeding a crowd.

Easy Prep & Layers of Flavor: The sausage, veggies, and spices create a rich sauce that’s bursting with taste.
Perfect Comfort Food: Melted mozzarella cheese over pasta makes every bite irresistibly gooey and hearty.
Feeds a Crowd: This casserole easily serves 8, so it’s great for families or having friends over.
Flexible & Customizable: You can tweak the heat, veggies, or even the pasta shape to suit your cravings.

This image shows a close-up of a baked pasta dish in a black baking dish placed on a white marbled surface. The dish has three visible layers: the bottom layer is red tomato sauce with chunks of meat; the middle layer consists of curly rotini pasta coated with sauce, creating a mix of orange and red hues; the top layer is melted white cheese spread unevenly, with dark red pepperoni slices and small green bell pepper pieces scattered on top. The cheese appears slightly browned in some spots, blending with the pasta and toppings around it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic in this casserole starts with simple, fresh ingredients that come together to build those rich Italian-inspired flavors we love. Each element plays its part—from the pasta’s bite, the sausage’s savory punch, to the melty cheese that binds everything.

Flat lay of fusilli pasta twists, a small pile of bulk Italian sausage, a medium diced onion, three whole garlic cloves, a diced green bell pepper, quartered cremini mushrooms, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl of red pepper flakes, small white bowls with dried basil and dried oregano, three small white bowls filled with strained tomato sauce, a mound of shredded mozzarella cheese, and sliced pepperoni arranged neatly on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Fusilli pasta: The twists help hold the sauce and cheese perfectly, so every forkful is flavorful.
Bulk Italian sausage: Pick sweet or hot depending on your spice preference; it adds a meaty, spiced depth.
Onion and garlic: These aromatics create a savory base that perks up the whole dish.
Green bell pepper: Adds a mild sweetness and crunch; you can swap for red or orange for color variety.
Cremini mushrooms: Their earthy flavor balances the richness of sausage and cheese beautifully.
Kosher salt & red pepper flakes: Seasoning essentials that amplify and balance the flavors.
Dried basil and oregano: Classic Italian herbs that bring fragrance and authenticity.
Strained tomatoes (or tomato sauce): The saucy base ties everything together with that bright, tangy tomato punch.
Mozzarella cheese: The gooey, melty star of the show; use whole milk mozzarella for best stretch and creaminess.
Pepperoni: Adds those familiar, savory pizza bites throughout; I love how it crisps up on top!

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to make this cheesy sausage pizza casserole recipe my own by swapping out veggies or adding extra heat. You can easily turn it into a veggie-packed or spicier dish depending on who’s at the table.

Variation: Sometimes I toss in some chopped spinach or fresh basil at the end to brighten it up — it’s a quick way to sneak in some greens.
Swap Noodles: Penne or rigatoni work just as well if you don’t have fusilli on hand.
Make it Mild or Spicy: Adjust the red pepper flakes or switch to sweet sausage if you want to keep it family-friendly.
Vegetarian Option: Swap sausage with plant-based alternatives and boost mushrooms for a hearty feel.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Pasta Perfectly Al Dente

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish so it’s ready when you are. Boil a big pot of salted water and cook the fusilli pasta until it’s just al dente — that bite you want, not mushy. Drain it well and set it aside. I always reserve a cup of pasta water just in case I want to loosen the sauce later.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage and Build Flavor

While the pasta cooks, get your skillet heating over medium. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into bite-sized pieces as it browns—this takes about 6-8 minutes. The smell at this point is irresistible! Once browned, add in the diced onion, garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Cook everything until the onions soften, usually 4-6 minutes.

Step 3: Spice It Up and Simmer Your Sauce

Season with kosher salt, red pepper flakes, dried basil, and oregano. Stir well to coat the sausage and veggies with those lovely herbs. Pour in the strained tomatoes or tomato sauce and bring it all to a gentle simmer, letting those flavors marry for 3-4 minutes. Then, remove from heat and give it a final taste for seasoning.

Step 4: Assemble Your Casserole Layers

Pour the meat sauce over your cooked noodles and toss in half of the pepperoni to mix it all up. Now, into your greased baking dish goes half the pasta mixture, then a generous layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat with the remaining noodles and cheese, topping everything off with the rest of the pepperoni so it crisps up beautifully while baking.

Step 5: Bake to Cheesy Perfection

Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes to heat through and meld flavors. Then, uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the casserole is bubbling hot and the cheese on top starts to brown and get that perfect golden crust. It’s a showstopper moment every time!

Top Tip

After making this Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe countless times, I've learned a few tricks that take it from great to unforgettable. Trust me, these tips will save you time in the kitchen and make you look like a pro.

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente pasta ensures the casserole doesn’t turn mushy after baking.
Brown Your Sausage Well: Getting good caramelization adds depth to the flavor; don’t rush this step.
Layer Cheese Generously: Mozzarella is the glue and star — don’t skimp to get a stretchy, gooey finish.
Let it Rest Before Serving: Giving the casserole 5 minutes to settle makes cutting and plating easier.

How to Serve Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe

cheesy sausage pizza - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Once out of the oven, I love sprinkling a little fresh chopped basil or parsley on top—it adds a fresh contrast to all that rich cheese and meaty sauce. Sometimes, I also add a light drizzle of good olive oil or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if I want to amp up the spice.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad—think arugula with lemon vinaigrette—and some warm, garlicky breadsticks to soak up any leftover sauce. For a lighter touch, roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus make a great balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I serve this casserole in individual small ramekins—guests love the personal touch and the crispy cheese edges on each portion are divine. I’ve also layered in some sun-dried tomatoes or swapped pepperoni for cooked meatballs to get a different pizza vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cheesy sausage pizza casserole keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always let it cool completely before sealing to avoid sogginess, and I reheat portions in the oven for the best texture.

Freezing

This casserole freezes really well! I usually assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, then wrap tightly with foil and plastic wrap before freezing. It keeps up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

For leftovers, reheating in the oven at 350°F until warmed through keeps the cheese melty and the pasta texture nice. Microwaving works in a pinch, but it can make the noodles a bit soft, so I prefer the oven whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different pasta shape for the Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe?

Absolutely! While fusilli is great for holding sauce, penne, rigatoni, or rotini are excellent substitutes that work just as well.

How spicy is the Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe?

The spice level depends on your choice of sausage and how much red pepper flakes you add. Using hot Italian sausage and adding more red pepper flakes will give it a good kick, but you can always dial it back for milder tastes.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! Replace the sausage with plant-based crumbles or extra mushrooms to keep a meaty texture, and skip the pepperoni or use a vegetarian alternative. The sauce and cheese still make this dish satisfying.

How long does the Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole keep in the fridge?

Stored properly in an airtight container, leftovers are best eaten within 3 days to maintain freshness and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Sausage Pizza Casserole Recipe has been a staple in my home for years because it’s the perfect blend of indulgent and approachable. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just craving something hearty after a long day, this dish hits all the right notes. Give it a try—I promise, it’s going to be one of those recipes you’ll want to save and make again and again.