Pizza Casserole Recipe for Meat Lovers Who Want More

Meat lovers pizza casserole redefines ordinary dinner expectations into a bold culinary adventure.

pizza enthusiasts and protein fans will instantly fall in love with this hearty dish that combines classic comfort food elements.

Layers of savory ingredients create a mouthwatering experience that satisfies deep cravings for robust flavors.

Cheese melts seamlessly between carefully selected meat components, generating an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen.

Weeknight meals demand something extraordinary, and this casserole delivers maximum flavor with minimal preparation effort.

Families and friends will gather around the table, eagerly anticipating each delectable bite of this innovative recipe.

This crowd-pleasing creation promises to become a permanent favorite in your cooking repertoire.

Building the Meatiest Casserole with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up your oven to 425°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and coat it lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sizzle the Meats

• Ground beef
• Sausage

Cook until the meats are completely browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat thoroughly.

Step 3: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Chopped pepperoni
• Flour
• Italian seasoning

Pour in tomato basil pasta sauce and stir everything together. Let the mixture bubble briefly over medium heat, then transfer to the prepared baking pan.

Step 4: Build Cheesy Foundation

Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese across the meat mixture, covering it completely.

Step 5: Top with Pizza Crust

• Brushing with olive oil
• Sprinkling remaining Italian seasoning
• Adding extra mozzarella
• Dusting with parmesan cheese

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust turns a beautiful golden brown and looks irresistibly crispy.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven. This helps the layers set and makes cutting easier. Slice into hearty portions and enjoy your meaty, cheesy creation!

Tips for Layers That Stay Moist and Melty

• Meat Selection Magic: Choose a mix of ground beef and sausage with 80/20 fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Drain Thoroughly: Pat cooked meats dry to prevent excess grease and ensure a crispy, not soggy, casserole base.
• Seasoning Boost: Toast Italian seasoning in the skillet for 30 seconds before adding to intensify the herb flavors.
• Cheese Distribution: Shred cheese fresh for better melting and even coverage across the entire casserole surface.
• Crust Crispiness Trick: Brush pizza crust with olive oil and sprinkle with parmesan to create a golden, crispy top layer that adds delightful texture.

Best Storage Tricks for Cheesy Casserole

Refrigerate: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through completely.

Microwave Option: Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

What to Serve Alongside This Meaty Dish

• Boost Flavor with Wine Pairing: Complement the rich, meaty pizza casserole with a bold red wine like Chianti or Zinfandel, which cuts through the cheese and enhances the savory meat flavors.
• Refreshing Beverage Companion: Cool down the hearty dish with a crisp craft beer, such as an amber ale or hoppy IPA, that balances the casserole's robust taste and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Perfect Side Salad Match: Create a light green salad with tangy vinaigrette to offset the casserole's heavy texture, using mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty Italian dressing.
• Dessert Balancing Act: Follow the meal with a light, citrusy dessert like lemon sorbet or key lime pie to cleanse the palate after the rich, meat-packed casserole.

Creative Takes on Pizza Casserole Night

• Veggie Lovers' Layer: Swap out meats with a colorful mix of bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach. Sauté vegetables before adding to the base for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Spicy Southwestern Swap: Replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning. Add black beans, corn, and swap tomato sauce for salsa. Top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Use ground lamb instead of beef. Incorporate Greek olives, feta cheese, and swap tomato sauce with marinara. Sprinkle dried oregano and add sun-dried tomatoes for authentic Mediterranean flair.
• Chicken Alfredo Edition: Substitute ground meats with shredded rotisserie chicken. Use alfredo sauce instead of tomato sauce. Add roasted garlic and fresh basil for a creamy, rich version of the original casserole.

Why Pizza Casserole Is a Meat Lover’s Dream

• Elevate Pizza Night: Transform the classic pizza experience into a hearty, comforting casserole that brings all the beloved flavors together in one easy-to-serve dish.
• Meat Lover's Dream: Packed with ground beef, sausage, and pepperoni, this recipe delivers an explosion of protein-rich meaty goodness that will satisfy even the most hardcore carnivores.
• Quick and Foolproof Preparation: With just 45 minutes from start to finish, this one-pan wonder requires minimal cooking skills while providing maximum deliciousness, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings with friends and family.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Easily adaptable with potential extra toppings or cheese variations, allowing home cooks to personalize the casserole to match their specific taste preferences and ingredient availability.

What Goes Into a Hearty, Cheesy Bake

• Ground Beef: Lean protein that adds rich, meaty flavor and forms the hearty foundation of the casserole.
• Pork Sausage: Provides additional depth of flavor and enhances the overall meat profile with its spicy notes.
• Pepperoni: Classic pizza topping that brings bold, zesty taste and crispy texture when baked.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth, consistent texture.
• Italian Seasoning: Delivers authentic pizza-style herbs and aromatic Mediterranean flavors.
• Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce: Ready-made sauce with fresh tomato and basil essence that serves as the primary liquid base.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese that creates the classic stretchy pizza topping.
• Pizza Crust Dough: Convenient pre-made base that provides a quick and easy foundation for the casserole.
• Olive Oil: Adds moisture and helps achieve a golden, crispy crust.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that enhances overall flavor and provides a nice finishing touch.

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty meat lovers pizza casserole delivers pure comfort with layers of pepperoni, sausage, and melted cheese. Rich Italian-inspired flavors combine in one satisfying dish that brings delicious pizzeria magic directly to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
• 1 pound (454 grams) pork sausage
• 1 cup chopped pepperoni

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1 (26-ounce / 737 grams) jar tomato basil pasta sauce
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Cheese and Crust:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1 (13.8-ounce / 391 grams) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

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Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to a sizzling 425ºF and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with non-stick spray.
2. In a robust skillet, sear ground beef and sausage over medium-high flame until the meat loses its rosy hue. Thoroughly drain excess fat and return proteins to the pan.
3. Introduce chopped pepperoni, dust with flour, and cascade Italian seasoning into the meat mixture. Toss until harmoniously blended.
4. Pour tomato basil pasta sauce into the skillet, stirring vigorously to create a cohesive sauce. Allow the concoction to bubble momentarily, then transfer to the prepared baking dish.
5. Lavishly scatter mozzarella cheese across the meaty foundation, creating a molten blanket.
6. Carefully unfurl the refrigerated pizza crust, draping it over the cheese layer like a savory canvas. Anoint the dough with olive oil, then crown with remaining mozzarella, parmesan, and a whisper of Italian seasoning.
7. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes until the crust transforms into a golden, crispy masterpiece.

Notes

• Meat enthusiasts will adore this hearty casserole that transforms classic pizza flavors into a comforting one-pan meal.
• Combining ground beef, sausage, and pepperoni creates an intense, robust meat experience that satisfies serious protein cravings.
• Refrigerated pizza crust provides a quick, convenient base that turns this dish into a hassle-free weeknight dinner solution.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 513
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg