Description
Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole brings together all the delicious pizza vibes in a hearty, no-fuss baked dish that’ll make your dinner table super happy. Pepperoni, sausage, and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing meal your family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 onion, chopped
- 8 ounces cooked pasta
Instructions
- Heat your oven to a precise 350F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish for perfect coverage.
- Grab a large skillet and thoroughly brown 1 pound ground beef and 1 pound Italian sausage with 1 chopped onion over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Carefully drain the excess fat from the meat mixture using a colander, then return the meat to the skillet.
- Pour 1 cup pizza sauce and sprinkle 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning into the meat, mixing until every morsel is evenly coated.
- Take 8 ounces of cooked pasta and fold it into the meat mixture, ensuring each pasta piece gets a generous coating of sauce.
- Spread 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese into the meat and pasta mixture, stirring gently to distribute the cheese.
- Transfer the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish, creating an even layer across the bottom.
- Scatter the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese across the top of the casserole for maximum cheese coverage.
- Arrange 1 cup pepperoni slices strategically over the cheese to create a delicious topping.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts completely and edges turn golden brown.
Notes
- Let the meat cool slightly before mixing with pasta to prevent overcooking the noodles and maintain their perfect texture.
- Choose high-quality pepperoni with good fat content for maximum flavor and crispy edges during baking.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and check that your pizza sauce is certified gluten-free.
- To make this dish extra special, sprinkle some fresh chopped basil or parsley on top right after baking for a bright, fresh finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 715 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg