Royalty Fast Food

The Pepperoni Pizza Casserole, This dish of pizza and garlic bread is rich and hearty and ideal for a Friday night when your child invites the majority of the neighborhood around. The buttery bread pairs perfectly with the cheese, pepperoni, and mushrooms, and the bottom of the dish gets beautiful and crisp. Make sure to neatly separate the pepperoni pieces before adding them to the pan with the marinara because they have the propensity to cling together.

Ingredients Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 12 ounces fresh cremini mushrooms, quartered lengthwise
• 1 cup chopped onion (from 1 [11-oz.] onion)
• 1 (24-oz.) jar marinara sauce
• 6 ounces pepperoni slices, divided
• Cooking spray
• 8 (1 3/4-oz.) frozen garlic bread slices, thawed
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• 8 ounces of mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
• 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup)
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions

Step 1
The oven should be preheated at 425 degrees using the lowest rack. In a big skillet, heat the oil on high. Add the mushrooms and onion; simmer, stirring frequently, for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the mushrooms are browned and tender. 4 ounces of pepperoni and marinara sauce should be mixed in (about 56 slices). Get rid of the heat.

Step 2
Spray cooking oil in a deep 13 x 9-inch casserole dish. Place the garlic bread in the casserole dish flat with the sliced sides facing up. Add the mushroom-pepperoni mixture evenly on top. Add a little mozzarella. Over the mozzarella, arrange the remaining 2 ounces of pepperoni (approximately 28 slices). Add a sprinkle of Parmesan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and gently browned, in a preheated oven. Wait for five minutes. Add some crushed red pepper, if desired.