Air Fryer Pizza Casserole hits the spot when I want pizza night but need something way more filling. The rich meat sauce coats every piece of pasta while the air fryer bubbles the cheese to golden perfection and crisps the pepperoni on top. It’s all the best parts of pizza baked into tender pasta. You’ll love how cheesy and hearty every bite is.
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I make this for weeknight dinners when I want something hearty that comes together quickly, and it’s perfect for game day gatherings and potlucks because it feeds a crowd. It’s kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and reheats beautifully. It keeps in the fridge for 3 days, or you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Pizza Casserole with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Let me walk you through making an easy pizza casserole that’s ready in about 30 minutes.
Brown the Beef and Vegetables
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef and diced onions. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally to break up the meat. I like using this meat chopper; it breaks up ground beef much faster and browns it more evenly than a spoon.
Add the diced green pepper and cook for another 5 minutes, until the beef is fully browned. Drain off any excess grease to prevent the sauce from becoming too oily. A grease container makes disposing of hot grease safe and mess-free.
Build the Marinara Meat Sauce
Turn the heat down to medium and pour in the beef broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all those flavorful browned bits stuck to the pan. Throw in the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning, and cook for about 1 minute, until everything smells amazing.
Stir in the marinara sauce. Let it simmer with the lid slightly ajar while you handle the pasta.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
Cook the Penne Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne for 1 minute less than the al dente time on the package. You want it slightly underdone since it’ll finish cooking in the air fryer.
Drain the pasta and set it aside. This stainless steel colander drains pasta quickly and rinses clean every time.
Combine Everything Together
Lower the heat under the sauce to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss until each piece is coated in the rich meat sauce.
Assemble and Top the Casserole
Transfer the pasta mixture to an air fryer-safe casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, then arrange the pepperoni slices across the surface.
Don’t skip the pepperoni placement because those little pools of grease create the best crispy edges.
Air Fry Until Bubbly
Place the uncovered casserole baking dish in the air fryer and cook at 375°F for 10 minutes. I always use a basket-style air fryer, which gives you plenty of room for casserole dishes and circulates heat evenly for perfectly melted cheese.
The mozzarella will be melted and starting to turn golden brown in spots when it’s ready.
Serve and Enjoy
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes so the cheese sets slightly, and you don’t burn your mouth on that first bite. Scoop generous portions onto plates and watch the mozzarella stretch as you serve.
The pepperoni will be crispy on top while everything underneath stays saucy and tender. Enjoy!
If you’re bringing it to a potluck or gathering, let it cool completely first, then cover tightly with aluminum foil. An insulated casserole carrier like this keeps it warm during transport and prevents spills in your car.
Air Fryer Pizza Casserole
Add Preferred SourceIngredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup yellow onion diced
- 1 small green bell pepper diced
- ½ cup beef broth
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 32 ounces marinara sauce
- ¾ pound penne pasta
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 ½ cups mozzarella shredded
- 25 slices pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onions, cooking for about 4 minutes. Stir in the diced bell pepper and cook for another 5 minutes, until the beef is browned. Drain any excess grease.1 pound ground beef, ½ cup yellow onion, 1 small green bell pepper
- Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute, then add the marinara sauce and stir well. Let the sauce simmer, partially covered, while you cook the pasta.½ cup beef broth, 3 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 32 ounces marinara sauce, 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- Boil the penne pasta for 1 minute less than the al dente time listed on the package. Drain and set aside.¾ pound penne pasta
- Reduce the heat on the sauce to low, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Add the cooked pasta and mix everything together.¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and top with pepperoni slices.2 ½ cups mozzarella, 25 slices pepperoni
- Bake in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C), uncovered, for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Drain the beef well: Removing excess grease after browning prevents the casserole from becoming too oily and helps the sauce stay thick and cling to the pasta.
- Scrape those browned bits: When you add the beef broth, use your spoon to scrape up all the caramelized bits stuck to the pan, because that’s where much of the flavor lives.
- Don’t skip the simmer: Letting the marinara sauce simmer while the pasta cooks gives the flavors time to meld together and creates a richer, more developed taste.
- Undercook your pasta: Boil the penne for 1 minute less than the package directions so it doesn’t turn mushy when it finishes cooking in the air fryer with all that sauce.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings: Customize it for the whole family by adding black olives, mushrooms, red pepper flakes, or any of your family’s favorite toppings alongside the pepperoni to make this easy dinner idea perfect for homemade pizza night, and serve with a side salad for a complete meal in a snap.
- Flash-freeze portions: Freeze individual servings on a baking sheet for 1 hour, then transfer to containers so they don’t stick together, and you can grab just one portion whenever you want.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Let the casserole cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Glass airtight containers keep the casserole fresh and make reheating super convenient.
I usually portion it out into single servings so I can grab one for lunch without reheating the whole batch. When I’m ready to eat, I microwave individual portions for 1 to 2 minutes or reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes until warmed through.
For longer storage, freeze the cooled casserole in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, or go straight from frozen to the air fryer at 325°F for about 15 minutes, checking halfway through to make sure it’s heating evenly without drying out the edges.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Pizza Casserole
It’s filling on its own, but I love serving it with a simple Caesar salad or a crisp green salad with Italian dressing to balance out the cheesy richness. Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks make great sides if you want something to scoop up extra sauce.
For a complete meal, roasted vegetables like zucchini, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts add color and nutrition. The casserole pairs well with whatever vegetables you have on hand. A simple cucumber and tomato salad or steamed green beans also work beautifully alongside this hearty dish.
More Easy Casserole Recipes for You to Try at Home
Check out these other air fryer casseroles that make family dinners and feeding crowds so easy.
