This Amish pizza casserole one of these classic "throw together" casseroles that are so synonymous with Amish cooking. Most Amish moms have a six, eight, ten or more mouths to feed so suppers that are hearty, inexpensive, and easy are prized. The average Amish homemaker is busy with sewing, cleaning, helping children with homework, keeping the stove running in winter, laundry, tending to any sick, writing letters, etc...as the children get older they can and do help with housework but, still, given the myriad of tasks an Amish Mom needs to balance recipes that are hearty and easy carry the day and this recipe is one of those.

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The Amish & Pizza Recipes
This Amish pizza casserole comes from our archives and was first shared in The Amish Cook column back in the 1990s by Elizabeth Coblentz. It combines the relatively new-found Amish love of pizza with a traditional hearty casserole. Most Amish cooks will use homemade pizza sauce, noodles, and cottage cheese in this recipe, but you can use store-bought.
Over the past couple of decades pizza has become increasingly popular among the Amish. And if one is tired of pizza, the Amish are keen on its many variations: pizza casserole, pizza bread, English muffin pizza, and even pizza cookies (okay, that’s actually a sweet that just looks like a pizza, not a savory). Pizza casserole is quite popular. Pizza casserole is basically pizza without the crust, and with noodles. This is a photo as it goes into the oven before the cheese is melted (note: this is not the Amish Cook’s house, she wouldn’t have electric range). This dish freezes well and reheats excellent in the microwave if you still uses those these days. I know some people are seriously anti-microwave nowadays.
Unlimited Options Using Favorite Pizza Toppings
I could go on forever about my favorite pizza toppings. Quite frankly I enjoy them all.
This casserole dish is destined to be tweaked a million times over if everyone were to use use a mixture of their favorite flavors.
- We've got the meats! Pepperoni, turkey pepperoni, Italian Sausage, ground beef, ground turkey & bacon. They all make sense inside a pizza casserole.
- Cheesy goodness! From the classic mozzarella cheese to even fresh burrata, you should NOT skimp on the cheese. That should be a rule for life. I also suggest a sprinkle of fresh shaved parmesan cheese to give it a little crust on top.
- Seasoning: I prefer red pepper flakes to add a little zing. But with small kids you may want to stick to the classic black pepper, basil, Italian seasoning or even garlic.
- Veggies on veggies: Pizza casseroles are a great way to sneak in veggies for picky eaters. Mushroom, olives, tomatoes, green bell pepper & even pineapple! They can all find a cozy home nestled inside this casserole recipe.
- Keep it saucy! Don't forget that the liquid in this recipe comes from proper sauce to toppings ratio. Marinara sauce, spaghetti sauce or any tomato based sauce that has a good taste and mixes well with cooked pasta is a win.
- Mama Mia More Pasta: All pizza casseroles get their carb contribution from perfectly cooked al dente pasta. Be sure not to overcook your pasta because once you bake it off you still want it to hold up in the casserole. Penne pasta is my favorite or ziti, they both hold the ingredients really well.
Easy Pizza Casserole Recipe Ingredients
- 8 ounces noodles cooked
- 1 pound hamburger
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup fresh sour cream
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup diced or shredded Colby cheese
Pizza Pasta Casserole Recipe Instructions
- In a large pot cook noodles until tender on medium high heat -- do not over cook.
- Drain and pour into 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish. You do not need cooking spray.
- In order, layer a little sauce, hamburger, onion, sour cream, pizza sauce, cottage cheese and Colby cheese on top of noodles. Do NOT stir.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes or until cheese on top is bubbly.
More Amish Pizza Favorites Recipe
Here are a few favorites from our Amish Pizza Recipe Collection. But we had to call out this little special treats -- Amish Pizza Biscuit Casserole made with fresh homemade biscuits.
Full Amish Pizza Casserole Recipe
Amish Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 ounces noodles cooked
- 1 pound hamburger
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup fresh sour cream
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup diced or shredded Colby cheese
Instructions
- Cook noodles until tender.
- Drain and place into 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish.
- In order, layer hamburger, onion, sour cream, pizza sauce, cottage cheese
- and Colby cheese on top of noodles. Do NOT stir.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until cheese on top is bubbly.
Magdalena
If you include a photo, we can send it to pinterest. This looks better than the pizza casserole recipe I tried a year ago that was based on bsicuit mix, and was very greasy. This one could be lightened up a bit with low-fat sour cream and cottage cheese, but since it feeds quite a crew (I'd guess six at least) with some veggies on the side, it isn't bad. (Hint about sour cream: Put plain yogurt in a doubled layer of cheesecloth or in a coffee filter in a filter cone, suspend over a bowl, leave about 4-12 hours in the refrigerator. Use the drained whey in baking and use the firmer yogurt just like sour cream.)
Linda from KY
No offense, but Colby cheese with pizza is just wrong. If I made this I'd substitute mozzarella cheese and sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top.
ruthie kufeldt
i made this but used mozzarella cheese.had company to eat it andi will make it again.it is a good dish to take to a potluck. it was a big hit!!it is a good dish to take to a potluck!!
Kevin
Ruthie, thank you so much for taking the time to tell us how it turned out! Glad it turned out well!
Mary
I am unsure of whether the hamburger is to be cooked first -- I assume it is, but the recipe doesn't say?
Kevin
Mary, yes, cook it first, sorry for the omission!