Description
This Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole combines all your favorite hearty meats—lean ground beef, pork sausage, and pepperoni—in a rich tomato basil sauce, layered with mozzarella cheese and topped with pizza crust for a delicious twist on classic pizza flavors baked into a comforting casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb pork sausage
- 1 cup chopped pepperoni
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tsp Italian seasoning (divided)
- 1 (26-oz) jar tomato basil pasta sauce
Cheese and Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Crust
- 1 (13.8-oz) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425º F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Meats: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and pork sausage until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat well, then return the meat mixture to the skillet.
- Add Seasoning and Sauce: Stir in the chopped pepperoni, all-purpose flour, and 3 teaspoons of Italian seasoning until everything is well blended. Then stir in the tomato basil pasta sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then remove from heat.
- Assemble Base Layer: Spoon the hot meat and sauce mixture into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Prepare Pizza Crust Topping: Unroll the refrigerated pizza crust dough and carefully place it over the mozzarella cheese layer. Brush the crust with olive oil, then sprinkle the remaining 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, and grated parmesan cheese evenly over the crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy. Remove from oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Make sure to drain the cooked meat well to prevent excess grease in the casserole.
- For added flavor, consider adding sliced mushrooms or bell peppers with the meats during cooking.
- Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and reheat thoroughly before serving.
