Description
Hearty meat lovers pizza casserole brings together classic pizza flavors in a comforting one-dish meal packed with savory meats and melted cheese. Bold ingredients and simple preparation make this crowd-pleasing recipe perfect for quick family dinners you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb pepperoni
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage
Cheese & Dairy:
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Base & Seasonings:
- 2 cups pizza dough
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking the meat into small crumbles until no pink remains and a rich, caramelized exterior develops.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture and season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, stirring to distribute the spices evenly.
- Roll out the pizza dough and press it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an even base that covers the entire surface.
- Spread marinara sauce across the dough, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Layer the cooked meat mixture over the sauce, creating a substantial protein-rich foundation.
- Arrange pepperoni slices across the meat layer, overlapping slightly for maximum coverage.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the pepperoni, allowing it to cascade across the entire surface.
- Drizzle heavy cream over the cheese layer to enhance richness and promote creamy melting.
- Top with parmesan cheese, creating a golden, crispy finish.
- Brush the exposed dough edges with olive oil to promote beautiful browning.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the crust turns golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow the casserole to set.
Notes
- Optimize meat browning by using a cast-iron skillet for deeper caramelization and enhanced flavor development.
- Drain meat thoroughly to prevent soggy casserole base and reduce excess greasiness for a more appealing texture.
- Experiment with different meat combinations like chorizo or ground turkey to customize protein profile and create unique flavor variations.
- Use gluten-free pizza dough or cauliflower crust for low-carb and celiac-friendly alternative without compromising taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg