Description
This Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole is a hearty, delicious, and satisfying dish that combines all the classic pizza flavors with the comfort of a casserole. Packed with layers of seasoned ground beef, sausage, pepperoni, and melty cheese, this casserole is a meat lover’s dream come true. It’s the perfect meal for busy weeknights or when you’re craving pizza without all the hassle of dough.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 package (6 oz) pepperoni slices
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups cooked rotini pasta (or any pasta shape you prefer)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
-
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
2. Cook the Meat:
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pan and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the onion is softened.
- Stir in the pizza sauce, crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer on low for about 5 minutes.
3. Cook the Pasta:
- While the sauce simmers, cook the rotini pasta (or your preferred pasta) according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
4. Assemble the Casserole:
- In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked pasta and meat sauce. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Layer pepperoni slices over the top of the pasta mixture.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and shredded Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
5. Bake:
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
6. Serve:
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra pepperoni or fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Cheese Options: You can add other types of cheese, like cheddar or provolone, for added flavor.
- Spicy Version: For a spicier kick, use spicy Italian sausage or add extra red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Toppings: Feel free to add other pizza toppings, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives, for variety.
- Make-Ahead: This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for 1-2 days before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Casserole, Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the casserole
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg