Delicious Cheesy Baked Pizza Spaghetti (Printable Version)

Tender pasta baked with rich sauce, mozzarella, sausage, and pepperoni for a cheesy, flavorful meal the whole family loves.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 300 g rotini pasta

→ Meats

02 - 250 g Italian sausage, casing removed
03 - 100 g sliced pepperoni
04 - 200 g seasoned ground beef

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced

→ Sauces and Seasonings

06 - 400 g marinara sauce
07 - Salt, to taste

→ Cheeses

08 - 250 g shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 30 g grated Parmesan cheese

# Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just shy of al dente, approximately 8-9 minutes; stir initially to prevent sticking.
02 - While the pasta cooks, brown the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into bite-sized pieces until fully cooked and browned.
03 - Uniformly dice the red bell pepper to ensure even cooking.
04 - Reserve 240 ml (1 cup) of pasta water, then drain the pasta without rinsing to retain starch for sauce adherence.
05 - Return the hot pasta to the pot. Gradually add the marinara sauce in intervals, tossing between additions until evenly coated.
06 - Fold in the cooked sausage and diced red bell pepper, distributing evenly throughout the pasta.
07 - Grease a baking dish lightly and transfer the pasta mixture, spreading it into an even layer to create height in the center for presentation.
08 - Generously cover the pasta with shredded mozzarella, then sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
09 - Place sliced pepperoni on top in a pattern ensuring each serving receives several slices, promoting crispy edges when baked.
10 - Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15-18 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown in spots; monitor to prevent burning.
11 - Allow the baked dish to rest for 5 minutes to let the cheese set slightly for cleaner slices.

# Notes:

01 - Undercook pasta by 1-2 minutes to avoid mushiness as it continues cooking during baking.
02 - Use room temperature cheese for even melting and optimal texture.
03 - Do not rinse pasta after boiling to preserve starch that improves sauce adherence.
04 - Layer toppings strategically for balanced flavor and texture in each serving.
05 - Grease baking dish to prevent sticking and facilitate easier serving.
06 - Save some toppings to add fresh just before serving for enhanced flavor contrast.

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