Young Generation Casserole

Young Generation Casserole–a saucy sausage and pepperoni pasta with cheese made quickly in the Instant Pot.

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Young Generation Casserole

I loved this dish because the sausage, cheese and pepperoni give you all the flavors of a pizza but in a comforting pasta bowl. It was quick to throw together in the Instant Pot. And it’s a dinner the whole family loves. The leftovers were in the fridge when I went to bed and not there when I woke up in the morning 🤨. (This recipe is adapted from Young Generation Casserole on Cooks.com).

Ingredients/Substitution Ideas

• Italian sausage–I used mild
• Dry onion flakes–or 1/2 cup diced onion
• Chicken or beef broth–or water and Better than Bouillon
• Cavatappi pasta–or another short cut pasta like penne or macaroni
• Tomato sauce
• Crushed tomatoes
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Pepperoni
• Mozzarella or parmesan

Steps

Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. When display says HOT add in the sausage and break it up. Add in the onion. Brown the sausage for about 5 minutes. If there is excess grease, drain it off.

Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot. 

Sprinkle in the pasta. Pour the tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes over the top of the pasta. Sprinkle in the onion powder, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. 

Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.

Stir well and then place the pepperoni evenly on the top. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the pepperoni. Place lid on top and let the pot sit on warm for 5 more minutes to let the cheese melt. 

Serve and enjoy!

Notes/Tips

• Serve with a green salad.
• Use hot or mild Italian sausage depending on how spicy you like it.
• If you don’t have cavatappi, penne or rotini work great too.
• I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in an 8 quart pot.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Other recipes you can make with pepperoni are Instant Pot Sausage Pepperoni Spinach Ravioli and Instant Pot Pizza Casserole.

Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for. 

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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.