Pizza Lasagna

This cheesy, saucy, melty 5-layer pepperoni pizza lasagna is the best of both worlds. Kids will love helping make this easy weeknight recipe.

By
Frank Tiu
Frank Tiu
Frank Tiu
Frank joined the food world as a full-time food video producer at BuzzFeed Tasty NY and is currently a contributor to Simply Recipes.
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Published May 30, 2023
Frank Tiu
Spatula Slightly Lifting a Slice of Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna From a Casserole Dish With the Rest of the Lasagna

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Pizza lasagna?! Yes, the two key magical words that will get any kid excited. If you’re a full-grown adult but a kid at heart like me, this is perfect for you too!

Pizza and lasagna share many similarities that make them perfect for this mashup recipe. It’s one of the easiest and fastest lasagnas that you can whip up at home. 

Make It a Family Affair

In fact, it’s so easy that you can get your kids involved, especially if pizza is their favorite to eat or make. Lasagna assembly is just a repetition of layers, which can reinforce kids' learning through pattern recognition. 

This recipe might easily become a new favorite meal. With all the easy shortcuts, you'll be happy to make it again and again. 

Spatula Slightly Lifting a Slice of Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna From a Casserole Dish With the Rest of the Lasagna

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Why I Love Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles

I prefer to use oven-ready lasagna when I'm in a time crunch, especially for a weeknight dinner. Unlike traditional dry lasagna noodles, oven-ready lasagna noodles don't need to be boiled, then tested to make sure they're al dente, then drained, and then lightly drizzled with oil to keep them from separating. (Yeah, that was a mouthful to say and do.) 

Also, oven-ready lasagna are flat sheets that fit nicely in their box and stay intact. As for the traditional lasagna noodles with the fancy rippled edges, they tend to break easily. 

Lastly, oven-ready lasagna sheets come in multiples of three that fit well in a 9x13-inch baking dish, so no need to break the dry noodles to fit—you can easily lay three sheets per layer.

The only downside to oven-ready lasagna is that it might have less of a “bite” to it, so if that really matters to you, feel free to use traditional lasagna for this recipe. Just boil them before assembly.

Pepperoni Time

I enjoy using small pepperoni slices, and kids tend to be fans, too. Children love small things because they fit so perfectly in their little worlds. Small pepperonis also allow you to get a randomly distributed amount of pepperoni, which makes it much easier to cut a 5-layer lasagna without watching the regular pepperonis get plunged to the deep end with your knife.

Slice of Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna on a Plate

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Freezing Lasagna

You can either freeze your lasagna before baking or bake and freeze after letting it cool. We have a super helpful article on freezing your lasagna here. 

Sides for Pizza Lasagna Night

Pizza Lasagna

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Servings 6 servings

The small pepperoni slices make the lasagna easier to cut and serve. I used Hormel Minis. If you can only find large slices, you can cut them in half or quarter them before assembling the lasagna.

Ingredients

  • 9 ounces oven-ready lasagna noodles (about 15 sheets)

  • 1 (48-ounce) jar marinara sauce (about 6 cups), or homemade

  • 1 1/2 pounds low-moisture mozzarella, shredded (about 5 cups)

  • 5 ounces sliced pepperoni, preferably small diameter (see recipe note)

Method

  1. Preheat the oven:

    Preheat the oven to 375°F and position the rack in the center.

  2. Assemble the lasagna:

    In a 9x13-inch baking dish, add 3/4 cup of marinara sauce and spread it with a spoon as the base.

    For the first layer, add 3 sheets of the lasagna noodles equidistant from each other. Add another 3/4 cup of the marinara sauce and spread. Sprinkle 1 cup of the mozzarella over the sauce, then top with 1 ounce of the pepperoni (about 50 small slices). 

    Repeat the steps for the next four layers.

    Layer of Marinara Sauce Added to Casserole Dish Next to a Sky Blue Kitchen Towel for Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles Added to First Layer of Marinara Sauce in the Casserole Dish Next to the Sky Blue Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    Another Layer of Marinara Sauce Added in the Casserole Dish Next to the Sky Blue Kitchen Towel for Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    Shredded Cheese Added in the Casserole Dish Next to the Sky Blue Kitchen Towel for Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    Mini Pepperoni Slices Added to Casserole Dish for Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
  3. Bake the lasagna:

    Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for 5 minutes.

    Casserole Dish Wrapped in Aluminum Foil

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna After Foil Removed From Casserole Dish

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
  4. Cool the lasagna:

    Let it cool for 15 minutes before serving so it will hold its shape when cut.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Casserole Dish With Baked Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna Ready to Serve

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    Slice of Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna on a Plate

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
634 Calories
42g Fat
27g Carbs
35g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 634
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 42g 54%
Saturated Fat 20g 102%
Cholesterol 122mg 41%
Sodium 2350mg 102%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 35g
Vitamin C 6mg 29%
Calcium 698mg 54%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 1121mg 24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.