Sizzling Loaded Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Recipe for Dinner Joy

Crafting a delectable meat lovers pizza casserole sparks pure culinary excitement for anyone craving comfort food with an irresistible twist.

Cheese, pepperoni, and savory sausage create a mouthwatering symphony that dances across your taste buds.

Layers of rich ingredients promise a hearty meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Families will adore this simple yet impressive dish that combines classic pizza flavors with casserole convenience.

Melted mozzarella blankets perfectly seasoned meats, promising a crowd-pleasing experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Minimal prep work means you can whip up this crowd-pleaser faster than ordering takeout.

One bite guarantees everyone at the table will be asking for seconds, so grab your apron and let’s get cooking!

Loaded Meat Lover’s Pizza Casserole: Crowd Pleaser

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Transforms classic pizza flavors into a hearty, one-dish meal that satisfies meat lovers and cheese enthusiasts with maximum deliciousness.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Requires simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a quick and impressive dinner solution.
• Versatile Family Feast: Adaptable recipe that works great for casual weeknight dinners, game day gatherings, or potluck events where everyone craves something filling and flavorful.
• Customizable Creativity: Allows easy substitutions of meats, cheeses, or seasonings, giving home cooks flexibility to match their family's taste preferences and pantry ingredients.

Casserole Ingredient Checklist

• Ground Beef: A rich and hearty protein that forms the base of the casserole.
• Crumbled Sausage: Adds extra flavor and depth to the meat mixture.
• Pepperoni: Provides a classic pizza taste and additional meaty texture.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creates a gooey, melty layer that gives the casserole its classic pizza-like appeal.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp and nutty flavor to enhance the overall taste.

• Pizza Crust Dough: Serves as the foundation of the casserole, giving it a traditional pizza-like structure.
• Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce: Provides a rich, herbal sauce that binds the meat and adds moisture to the dish.
• Flour: Helps to thicken the sauce and create a more cohesive meat mixture.
• Olive Oil: Adds a light sheen and helps the top brown nicely.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings a blend of herbs that amplifies the pizza-like flavor profile.

How to Make Meat Lover’s Pizza Casserole

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 or grease to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Meaty Goodness

• Ground beef
• Crumbled sausage

Cook these tasty meats over medium heat until they’re beautifully browned and sizzling.

Drain away any extra fat to keep things nice and clean.

Step 3: Spice Up the Mixture

• Chopped pepperoni
• Italian seasoning
• Flour

Stir everything together until it’s perfectly combined.

Let it cook for a couple more minutes to develop those deep, rich flavors.

Step 4: Sauce It Up

Pour in the tomato basil pasta sauce and let the mixture simmer.

This is where the magic happens – the flavors will start to meld together beautifully.

Step 5: Create the First Layer

Spread half of the meaty sauce mixture into your prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle a generous handful of mozzarella cheese over the top.

Step 6: Add the Crust

Unroll your pizza crust and get creative!

Cut it into strips or chunks.

Layer these pieces over the cheesy meat mixture.

Step 7: Final Flavor Explosion

Pour the remaining meat sauce over the crust.

• Remaining mozzarella
• Parmesan cheese
• Extra Italian seasoning

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the top for that extra golden touch.

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

You’re looking for a golden-brown crust and cheese that’s melted and bubbling with excitement.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole cool down for a few minutes.

This helps it set and makes cutting easier.

Slice up and enjoy your pizza casserole masterpiece!

Casserole Pro Tips & Tricks

• Select high-quality ground beef and sausage for rich, deep flavors that elevate the entire dish.
• Spread mozzarella evenly to ensure every bite has gooey, melted cheese goodness.
• Cut pizza dough into smaller pieces for better coverage and a more interesting texture throughout the casserole.
• Let meat and sauce mixture simmer briefly to blend seasonings and intensify overall taste profile.
• Use parchment paper or extra greasing to prevent stubborn cheese and sauce from sticking to baking dish.

Pizza Casserole Flavor Upgrades

• Vegetarian Pizza Casserole: Replace ground beef and sausage with plant-based meat alternatives like crumbled tofu, lentils, or vegetarian sausage crumbles for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Pizza Casserole: Swap regular pizza crust with gluten-free pizza dough or cauliflower crust to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Pizza Casserole: Use zucchini or eggplant slices instead of pizza crust, and replace flour with almond flour to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Mediterranean-Style Pizza Casserole: Incorporate feta cheese, olives, spinach, and swap tomato sauce for a lighter, herb-infused olive oil base with Mediterranean seasonings.

Serving Pizza Casserole for Gatherings

• Pizza Night Perfection: Pair this hearty casserole with fresh sides to elevate your meal.
• Cool Salad Companion: Toss a crisp green salad with mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and light vinaigrette to balance the rich, meaty flavors.
• Garlic Bread Boost: Serve warm, buttery garlic bread on the side for extra carb-loaded deliciousness that soaks up the delectable sauce.
• Wine and Dine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Zinfandel to complement the robust meat and cheese profile of the casserole.

Storing Pizza Casserole for Easy Meals

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation and maintain texture.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place individual portions on microwave-safe plate. Heat at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming. Add splash of water to prevent drying.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Cover casserole with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil last 5 minutes for crispy top.

FAQs

• What kind of meat is used in this casserole?

The casserole uses a combination of ground beef, sausage, and pepperoni, creating a hearty and flavor-packed meat lover’s dish.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

You can substitute the regular pizza crust with a gluten-free pizza dough and use gluten-free flour to make the recipe compatible with gluten-free diets.

• How do I prevent the casserole from becoming too greasy?

Drain excess fat after cooking the ground beef and sausage, and use lean meat varieties to reduce greasiness in the final dish.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The combination of meats, cheese, and pizza-like flavors makes this casserole a hit with children and adults alike.

Loaded Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Pizza lovers rejoice as Loaded Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole brings classic Italian-American comfort to dinner tables. Hearty layers of savory meats, melted cheese, and zesty sauce create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
• 1 pound (454 grams) pork sausage, crumbled
• 1 cup (150 grams) chopped pepperoni

Cheese and Dairy Ingredients:

• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 tablespoons (15 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Other Ingredients:

• 1 (26-ounce/737 grams) jar tomato basil pasta sauce
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 (13.8-ounce/391 grams) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 375°F (190°C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef and sausage over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, thoroughly draining excess fat.
3. Incorporate pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and flour into the meat mixture, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Introduce tomato basil pasta sauce to the meat, allowing the mixture to simmer briefly before removing from heat.
5. Create the first layer by spreading half the meat sauce across the prepared baking dish, then generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the meat.
6. Deconstruct the pizza crust into irregular strips or chunks, arranging them strategically atop the cheese and meat layer.
7. Cover the crust with remaining meat sauce, then embellish with the rest of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and a final dusting of Italian seasoning.
8. Drizzle olive oil across the surface and bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust transforms to a golden hue and cheese becomes gloriously melted and effervescent.
9. Allow the casserole to rest for several minutes before slicing, enabling the ingredients to settle and enhance flavor cohesion.

Notes

• Mix ground beef with turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that keeps the rich flavor profile intact.
• Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to increase heat and give the casserole a zesty kick for spice lovers.
• Replace meat with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu, mushrooms, or vegetarian sausage to create a meatless version that maintains the dish’s hearty texture.
• Substitute regular pizza crust with gluten-free dough and use cornstarch instead of flour to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 540 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 870 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg