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This filling Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole turns a popular topped pizza into a warm, gooey baked meal that'll fill up even the hungriest guests. I whipped up this dish when my folks wanted pizza but I needed something heartier for a cold-weather dinner with friends.
I first threw this casserole together for a block party when I needed to feed lots of people with something easy to transport. It was gone in no time, beating out all other dishes, and now everyone asks me to bring it whenever we get together.
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef: Gives that beefy taste without making the whole dish too fatty
- Pork sausage: Adds depth and rich flavor that makes the entire casserole better
- Chopped pepperoni: Gives you little pops of real pizza taste throughout
- All purpose flour: Works to make the sauce thicker so your dish isn't runny
- Italian seasoning: Makes your kitchen smell just like a pizza shop
- Tomato basil pasta sauce: Cuts down prep time but still tastes great
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Creates those long, stretchy strings when you take a bite
- Refrigerated pizza crust dough: Gets you that real pizza feel without making dough from scratch
- Olive oil: Helps turn your crust a nice brown color
- Parmesan cheese: Tops it off with nutty flavor and a bit of crunch
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Baking Dish:
- Turn your oven to 425°F and spray your 9×13 inch baking dish lightly. This hot oven will make sure your crust gets nicely browned while everything inside bubbles up tasty.
- Brown The Meat Mixture:
- Cook ground beef and sausage in a big skillet over medium high heat until it's fully cooked with no pink spots left, about 7-8 minutes. Don't forget to drain off the extra fat so your dish won't end up swimming in grease.
- Add Flavor Builders:
- Mix in the pepperoni bits, flour, and 3 teaspoons of Italian seasoning with your meat. The flour will work to thicken everything as it cooks, while pepperoni adds tasty pizza flavor throughout.
- Create The Sauce:
- Add the tomato basil pasta sauce and let it come to a light boil. This wakes up the flour and helps all the flavors mix together nicely. Take it off the heat once you see bubbles.
- Layer The Base:
- Put your meat mix into the baking dish, spread it out evenly. Cover it with 1½ cups of mozzarella cheese to make that must-have melty layer that everyone loves.
- Add The Pizza Crust:
- Open up the pizza dough and lay it over the cheese, pulling it gently to reach the edges. This will turn into your crunchy top that feels like real pizza crust.
- Finish With Toppings:
- Brush some olive oil over the dough for better browning. Sprinkle the leftover Italian seasoning, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, and the Parmesan cheese on top for extra taste and texture.
- Bake To Perfection:
- Cook for 20 to 25 minutes until the crust turns a rich golden color and is fully baked. Keep an eye on it near the end so it doesn't burn.
- Rest Before Serving:
- Let your casserole sit for about 5 minutes before cutting into it. This short wait helps everything firm up for nicer slices.
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What I love most about this dish is how the top gets those little air pockets just like a good pizza. The first time I made it for my brother in law, who's super picky about his pizza, even he had to admit it hit all the right notes in a fresh new way.
Storage Solutions
This dish stays good in the fridge for up to 4 days if you put it in a sealed container. When you want to warm it up, the oven works best at 350°F for about 15 minutes if you want to keep the crust crispy. The microwave makes the crust go soft but it still tastes good. If you need to keep it longer, wrap single portions in foil and plastic wrap before freezing them for quick meals later on.
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Customizing Your Casserole
What's great about this dish is how easy it is to change it up for different tastes and diets. If you want less meat, swap out half the beef for chopped mushrooms. Veggie fans can throw in some diced bell peppers, olives, or spinach to the sauce mix. For folks who don't eat pork, just use all beef or turkey sausage instead. No matter how you tweak it, it'll still feel like comfort food.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty dish goes great with a simple green salad topped with Italian dressing to balance out the richness. Garlic bread might seem like too much with the pizza crust already there, but it's actually perfect for scooping up extra sauce. For casual get-togethers, put out small dishes of extra pizza toppings like banana peppers, red pepper flakes, or fresh basil so everyone can add what they like to their portion.
The Pizza Casserole History
Pizza casseroles showed up in American kitchens back in the 50s and 60s when casseroles were all the rage and Italian American food was getting popular. They're the perfect mix of old Italian flavors with American shortcuts. This version sticks to those roots while using modern time-savers like pre-made dough for busy families. It keeps the heart of pizza making alive while making it practical for home cooks.
Common Questions
- → Can I switch out the meats?
You bet! Try ground turkey, chicken sausage, or even meatless alternatives if you want something different.
- → Is it okay to add veggies?
Go for it! Throw in some chopped bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or diced onions to bump up the flavor and add some crunch.
- → How do I get a crunchier crust?
For extra crunch, pop the pizza dough in the oven for a few minutes on a baking sheet before you put it on top of your casserole.
- → Can I make this ahead?
Sure thing! Get everything ready but don't bake it—just cover and stick it in the fridge. Then bake it right before you're ready to eat.
- → What goes well on the side?
Try a simple green salad, some buttery garlic bread, or oven-roasted veggies to balance out all that hearty goodness.