Bubble Up Pizza Casserole Recipe

Easy Bubble Up Pizza Casserole Recipe: A Cheesy Family Favorite

Comfort food reaches new heights with this crowd-pleasing bubble up pizza casserole that delivers maximum flavor in minimal time.

Layers of gooey cheese, savory pepperoni, and tender biscuit pieces create a magical dining experience.

Weekend warriors and busy home cooks adore how quickly this dish comes together with pantry staples.

Every bite promises a delightful combination of classic pizza ingredients in a hearty, satisfying form.

Weeknight dinners transform into celebratory meals with this simple yet irresistible recipe.

Families will devour this casserole faster than you can say “dinner is served.” Prepare to become the household hero with this crowd-pleasing meal that never disappoints.

Bubble Up Pizza Casserole Weeknight Winner

  • Quickly Customize Toppings: Transform this basic recipe by adding your favorite pizza ingredients like bell peppers, olives, or mushrooms to match personal taste preferences.
  • Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Combines the comfort of pizza and casserole with super simple steps, requiring just a few basic ingredients and minimal kitchen skills.
  • Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with cheesy goodness and familiar flavors that children and adults will love, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
  • Stress-Free Weeknight Meal: Offers a convenient one-dish solution that comes together quickly, reducing cooking time and kitchen cleanup while delivering a satisfying, hearty meal.

Bubble Up Pizza Casserole Ingredient List

Main Protein:
  • Ground Beef: A hearty protein that creates the base of the casserole's meat mixture.
  • Pepperoni: Adds classic pizza flavor and extra meaty texture to the dish.
Dairy Components:
  • Mozzarella Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Provide creamy, melty goodness that gives the casserole its rich, cheesy character.
Baking and Seasoning Group:
  • Refrigerated Biscuit Dough
  • Pizza Sauce: Delivers classic pizza flavor throughout the casserole.
  • Onion, Garlic: Enhance the overall savory depth of the meat mixture.
  • Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Create a well-balanced and flavorful seasoning blend.

Cooking Spray: Ensures the casserole doesn’t stick to the baking dish.

Pizza Casserole Quick Prep Guide

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready by heating it to 375F (190C).

Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Meat Magic

Grab a large skillet and start cooking your ground beef.

Toss in:
  • Chopped onions
  • Minced garlic

Cook everything together until the beef turns completely brown and the onions become soft and translucent.

Drain out any extra grease from the pan.

Step 3: Flavor Explosion

Time to make this dish pop with flavor!

Mix into the meat:
  • Pizza sauce
  • Italian seasoning
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Stir everything until the ingredients are beautifully combined.

Step 4: Biscuit Blending

Take your quartered biscuit dough and gently fold it into the saucy meat mixture.

Make sure each biscuit piece gets a nice coating of flavor.

Step 5: Layer the Deliciousness

Create your first layer in the baking dish with half the biscuit and meat mixture.

Sprinkle over:
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Pepperoni slices

Repeat the layers one more time for maximum yumminess.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the biscuits puff up and turn a gorgeous golden brown.

The cheese should be melted and bubbling with excitement.

Step 7: Let It Rest and Serve

Give the casserole a quick 5-minute break after removing from the oven.

This helps everything settle and makes cutting and serving a breeze.

Dig in and enjoy!

Pizza Casserole Tips For Bubble Up

  • Use smaller or larger biscuit pieces based on preference, ensuring even coating and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
  • Opt for leaner ground beef or drain thoroughly to reduce excess grease and prevent a soggy dish.
  • Experiment with additional toppings like sliced olives, bell peppers, or different cheese varieties to create personalized pizza casserole variations.
  • Sprinkle cheese closer to the end of baking to achieve a golden, crispy top without burning.
  • Let biscuit mixture sit for a few minutes before baking to help absorb sauce and create a more cohesive texture.

Bubble Up Casserole Flavor Experiments

  • Vegetarian Pizza Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version that maintains the same hearty texture and flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional biscuit dough with gluten-free biscuit mix or cauliflower crust to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities while keeping the casserole's core essence.
  • Low-Carb Transformation: Use almond flour biscuits or cauliflower rice as a base, reducing carbohydrate content for keto and low-carb diet followers without sacrificing the pizza-inspired taste.
  • Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Incorporate feta cheese, spinach, and olives instead of traditional pepperoni, creating a Mediterranean-style pizza casserole with fresh, vibrant flavors.

Serving Bubble Up Pizza Casserole Family Style

  • Pizza Night Perfection: Pair this hearty casserole with fresh, crisp sides to balance the rich flavors.
  • Fresh Garden Salad: Toss together mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a light vinaigrette to add brightness and freshness to the meal.
  • Garlic Bread Companions: Serve warm, buttery garlic bread sticks on the side for extra carb-loaded deliciousness that complements the pizza casserole's cheesy goodness.
  • Cool Drink Pairing: Offer chilled iced tea, sparkling water with lemon, or a crisp soda to help cut through the casserole's rich and savory profile.

Store Bubble Up Pizza Casserole Hot

  • Store any remaining casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to maintain freshness.
  • Wrap the cooled casserole securely in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat the entire casserole in a 350F (175C) oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add a sprinkle of fresh cheese on top to revive its gooey texture.

FAQs

  • Can I use different types of meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for variety and different flavor profiles.

  • Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids love the cheesy, pizza-like taste and the fun biscuit texture. It’s a great way to get children excited about dinner.

  • Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Replace the ground meat with plant-based ground meat alternatives or use extra vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach to create a veggie-packed version.

  • How can I make this casserole spicier?

Add red pepper flakes to the meat mixture, use spicy pepperoni, or include some diced jalapeños to give the dish a kick of heat.

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Bubble Up Pizza Casserole Recipe

Bubble Up Pizza Casserole Recipe


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4.5 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Crowd-pleasing bubble up pizza casserole brings comfort and excitement to family dinner tables with layers of cheesy, saucy goodness. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a delicious one-pan meal that satisfies hunger and sparks joy for pizza lovers everywhere.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey or sausage)
  • 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy and Bread:

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 package (12 ounces / 340 grams) refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands), cut into quarters

Sauces and Seasonings:

  • 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) pizza sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Preparation:

  • Cooking spray for greasing the baking dish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onions and garlic over medium heat until meat is fully cooked and onions become translucent. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
  3. Enhance the meat mixture by stirring in pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until ingredients are well incorporated.
  4. Gently fold quartered biscuit dough pieces into the seasoned meat sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
  5. Create the first layer in the prepared baking dish by spreading half of the biscuit and meat combination, then top with half of the mozzarella, cheddar cheese, and pepperoni slices.
  6. Repeat the layering process with the remaining biscuit mixture, cheese, and pepperoni to create a complete casserole.
  7. Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for golden-brown biscuits and fully melted, bubbling cheese.
  8. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, which helps the layers settle and makes cutting and serving easier.

Notes

  • Swap pepperoni for ham, bacon bits, or cooked sausage to create unique flavor combinations that match your taste preferences.
  • Use lean ground turkey instead of beef, reduced-fat cheese, and whole wheat biscuits to make a more nutritious version of this comfort dish.
  • Mix in chopped bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to increase vegetable content and add extra nutrients to the casserole.
  • Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking step, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking for convenient meal planning.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 950 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Lena Martinez

Lena Martinez

Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach ​

Education

Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices


Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.

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