Pizza Spaghetti Casserole (Fazoli's Copycat)

This delectably meaty, ridiculously cheesy Pizza Spaghetti Casserole recipe takes two of my favorite Italian dishes and combines them into one. Brimming with perfectly al dente noodles, flavorful Italian sausage and pepperoni, loads of melty cheese, your choice of veggies, and rich marinara sauce, this copycat Fazoli’s pizza baked spaghetti is a favorite of kids and adults alike.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions 
• Optional Variations
• How To Make Spaghetti Pizza Casserole
• Storage Instructions
• What To Serve With Your Pizza Spaghetti Bake
• Expert Tips
• FAQ
• Video
• More Delicious Pasta Dishes to Try
• Pizza Spaghetti Casserole (Fazoli’s Copycat)
• Pizza Spaghetti Casserole (Fazoli's Copycat)

Why You Will Love This Recipe

I don’t know about you, but carbs and casseroles are two of my love languages. 

Whether you call them traybakes or hot dishes, casseroles are the dinnertime savior of harried humans the world over. What’s not to love about a one-pan dinner where the oven does the heavy lifting? Add some carby goodness in the form of pasta or potatoes and you’ve won my culinary heart.

Aside from having all your favorite pizza toppings served in twisty, twirly noodle form, this cheesy spaghetti-baked pizza casserole recipe is:

• Quick & Easy - You only need 10 minutes of active prep time and 20 minutes in the oven to get this outrageously tasty dinner on the table.
• Super Versatile - While the recipe below is based on our favorite “meat lover’s pizza,” you’re welcome to switch up any of the ingredients to suit your needs. Swap in white sauce or pesto for the marinara, make it vegetarian by loading up on veggies, or make it gluten- or dairy-free to fit into your diet. Read on below for tons more ideas!
• Hearty & Satisfying - This cozy, carb-heavy meal is like a hug on a plate.
• Meal-Prep Friendly - Perfect for prepping in advance of a wild week ahead or for dropping off for a friend in need. 💛

Ingredients & Substitutions 

This yummy pizza casserole with pasta requires just a handful of ingredients, most of which can be found in your pantry. Here’s your shopping list (see the recipe card for exact quantities):

• Spaghetti - While we always have a box or two of spaghetti kicking around in the pantry, you’re welcome to use any noodle shape you prefer.
• Marinara - If you think of pizza as a red sauce affair, marinara is the way to go. However, feel free to get creative here and use creamy alfredo, bright pesto, meaty bolognese, or any other pizza/pasta sauce you can think of. Homemade or store-bought will both work!
• Ground Italian Sausage - Pizza isn’t pizza without sausage in our house. Feel free to swap in your favorite ground meat (e.g. beef, chicken, turkey, soy crumbles) seasoned to your liking. You’re also welcome to try other types of sausage like Mexican chorizo or chicken apple sausage.
• Italian Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes, & Garlic Powder - These spice aisle staples all help to add extra pizza vibes to your mini meatballs.
• Black Pepper - For seasoning. If possible, use freshly ground pepper for the best flavor.
• Pepperoni - For all the salty, cured pork goodness you crave. Feel free to use either mini or full-size pepperoni that has been cut into quarters.
• Mozzarella Cheese - For a totally Instagrammable cheese pull. Feel free to swap in your favorite melty cheese instead.
• Parmesan Cheese - Optional, but lovely for an added boost of salty, umami flavor and extra cheesy texture.
• Onion - I love having a bit of allium sweetness and a slight crunch. Feel free to omit the onion if you prefer.

Optional Variations

Use this recipe for pizza pasta casserole as a loose outline for your own magnificent creations. Here are a few variations to consider:

• Vegetarian - Swap in your favorite plant-based meat alternatives, or lean heavily on your favorite veggie toppings like bell peppers, onions, roasted tomatoes, eggplant, or anything else kicking around your crisper drawer.
• Dairy-Free - Use plant-based cheese to get all the pizza vibes without the tummy troubles.
• Vegan - Go vegetarian AND dairy-free, following the steps listed above.
• Low-Carb/Keto - Swap in your favorite low-carb noodle alternative or make a spaghetti squash pizza bake instead!
• Other Pizza Toppings - Pizza is a rather personal affair, so feel free to mix and match your favorite toppings in this spaghetti casserole bake. This list is in no way fully comprehensive, but here are a few ideas to get your creative wheels turning:
  • Meats/Protein: Salami, ham, Canadian bacon, bacon, turkey bacon, grilled chicken breast, steak, any kind of sausage, taco meat, pulled pork, or vegetarian meat alternatives.
  • Melty Cheese: Provolone, goat cheese, cheddar, Havarti, muenster, Monterey jack, Colby, swiss, Gruyere, or gouda.
  • Veggies: Bell peppers, pickled peppers, olives, roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions, raw onions, shallots, leeks, scallions, zucchini, summer squash, spinach, arugula, or eggplant.
  • Sauces: Vodka sauce, alfredo, pesto, red pesto, bolognese, pumpkin cream, or any other pasta sauce.
  • Non-Traditional Toppings: Peas, carrots, pineapple, potatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, or winter squash. Just make sure that any hearty veggies are cooked first (roasted, grilled, steamed, etc) so they don’t end up undercooked.
  • Fresh Herbs: Basil, oregano, dill, parsley, or cilantro.
  • Dried Herbs & Spices: Greek seasoning, herbes de provence, za’atar, cayenne, oregano, or chives.

If you love mashup recipes like this, you may also enjoy my Air Fryer Pizza Grilled Cheese.

How To Make Spaghetti Pizza Casserole

Step 1: Cook noodles according to package directions. Rinse, drain and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare a 9x13-inch pan with a light coating of cooking spray. Set aside. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat.

Step 3: Make Sausage Meatballs. While the spaghetti is cooking, prepare sausage crumbles. In a medium mixing bowl, combine Italian sausage, Italian seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Use a ½ tablespoon spoon and make mini meatballs. 

Step 4: Cook Sausage Meatballs (& Onion, if using). Add olive oil to the hot pan and swirl to coat. Add mini meatballs to the pan and cook until browned, about five minutes. Sauté your onion at the same time if you're using one.

Step 5: Assemble. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked spaghetti, marinara sauce, half of the mini meatballs, half of the mozzarella, and half of the mini pepperoni. Stir well. Add all to a casserole dish and top with parmesan if desired, remaining mozzarella, meatballs, and pepperoni. 

Step 6: Bake. Place into the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and has started to brown.

Step 7: Cool & Serve. Let stand for 10 minutes and then serve. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and enjoy!

Storage Instructions

The spaghetti pizza bake can be assembled ahead of time through step 5, then covered and refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, allow to defrost overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes as needed to heat it all the way through.

Baked pizza spaghetti leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to a month. To reheat, defrost overnight in the fridge then microwave on 70% for about 2.5 minutes or bake at 275F/135C for about 15 minutes, or until heated through.

What To Serve With Your Pizza Spaghetti Bake

While Ken and I are perfectly happy cozying up to a plate of this absurdly tasty pizza-spaghetti hybrid and calling it a night, you’re more than welcome to add some sides to round out your meal. It pairs well with a side green salad and some garlic bread or cheese bread to sop up all the sauce. 

Expert Tips

• Salt your pasta water. You only get one shot to add flavor to your noodles, so don’t miss it!
• Don’t overcook the pasta. Mushy noodles are nobody’s favorite.
• Grate your own cheese. While you certainly *can* reach for bags of pregrated cheese, the starchy coating the food companies put on to keep them from clumping back into an amorphous blob also prevents the shreds from melting properly.

FAQ

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this cheesy spaghetti pizza casserole:

Video

More Delicious Pasta Dishes to Try

Hopefully, you have a moment to take a peek at some of my other pasta dishes as well! You never know when you will stumble onto a keeper!

Pizza Spaghetti Casserole (Fazoli’s Copycat)

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.