Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 cups pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
- Salt for pasta water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a bit of olive oil.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package directions until just al dente—it’ll cook more in the oven, so you don’t want it too soft.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Stir in the pizza sauce, 2 cups of the mozzarella, half the pepperoni, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Transfer everything to your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly so it bakes consistently.
- Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and arrange the rest of the pepperoni on top. They’ll get crispy and delicious in the oven.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown in spots. If you want extra crispy pepperoni, switch to broil for the last 2-3 minutes—just watch it closely.
- Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if you have it.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
