Deep Hamburger Sausage Pepperoni Bake
This hearty pasta bake is layered with beef, sausage, pepperoni, gooey cheese, and marinara—comfort food at its boldest and most indulgent.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
1 pound ground beef
½ pound Italian sausage, casings removed
1 small onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
24 ounces marinara or pizza sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Layers
2 cups cooked penne pasta
8 ounces pepperoni slices
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Topping
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully cooked and crumbly. Drain excess fat.
Add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and soft, about 2–3 minutes.
Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a deep 9×13-inch baking dish.
Begin layering:
Spread a base layer of cooked pasta.
Spoon half of the meat sauce over the pasta.
Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
Add a layer of pepperoni.
Repeat with remaining ingredients until nearly full.
Top with the final layer of mozzarella and a light dusting of Parmesan.
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Uncover and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly. Optional: broil for 2–3 minutes for a crispier top.
Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
Notes
Allow resting time before slicing to keep layers intact.
Easily customizable with mushrooms, olives, or green peppers for added flavor.
Substitute gluten-free pasta or turkey sausage if desired.
