Revitalizing a time-honored culinary masterpiece presents a challenge: how can one infuse novelty into a dish with centuries of heritage? This endeavor becomes even more intricate when dealing with a beloved classic like pizza. While experimenting with novel toppings or pioneering crust ingredients may provide fleeting excitement, the essence of pizza remains largely unaltered—a testament to its enduring appeal. Hence, the question persists: how does one genuinely transmute the essence of pizza?
The answer emerges as a fusion of gastronomic ingenuity: amalgamating the quintessential traits of pizza with the comfort of pasta, all harmoniously baked within a generous dish. The result? A symphony of flavors encapsulated within a pizza casserole—a concept that pays homage to both culinary traditions while sculpting an entirely new indulgence.
Baked Pizza Casserole 
Ingredients8 ounces uncooked bow tie pasta (you can use other types of pasta if you don't have bow tie)
1 (24 ounces) jar spaghetti sauce
2 cups water
1 small onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon crushed chili pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tsp. Italian or pizza seasoning
3 1/2 ounces pepperoni slices
1 (2.25 oz.) can black olives, drained and sliced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
Directions1. To start, preheat your oven to 350 °F and lightly grease a 9X13 baking pan. Lay out uncooked bow tie pasta in the pan and add tomato sauce.
2. Add in two cups of water and all the spices, making sure to mix everything well. Layer the top with pepperonis. Then add the chopped onion and green bell pepper and the sliced black olives.
3. Once you're done with the toppings, sprinkle on a layer of cheese before sticking your pan in the oven. Bake the dish at 350 °F for 45 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Plate and enjoy!
Pro tip: Remember that the perfect pizza is the one that accommodates to your personal tastes. Don't you like bell peppers or onion? Not a fan of pepperoni? Get creative with the toppings and tailor the baked pizza. Try tomato slices and basil for a classic Margherita. Add blue cheese to the mozzarella and Parmesan to create a 3-cheese baked pizza.
