Description
Pillsbury Pizza Crust Casserole comes together faster than your weeknight dinner dilemma, combining pantry staples with delicious simplicity. Guaranteed to satisfy hungry family members, this quick and comforting dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tube Pillsbury pizza crust
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 small onion
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
Garnish:
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté 1 diced small onion until it turns translucent.
- Add 1 pound ground beef to the skillet and cook thoroughly, breaking meat into small crumbles while seasoning with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Drain any excess fat from the beef mixture, then stir in 1 cup marinara sauce and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Unroll the Pillsbury pizza crust and gently press it across the entire bottom and slightly up the sides of the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly across the crust, creating a uniform layer.
- Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the beef, covering the entire surface.
- Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and melted, bubbly cheese.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into square servings.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves just before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent a soggy crust, which can make your casserole less crispy and appealing.
- Experiment with different ground meats like turkey or Italian sausage for varied flavor profiles and protein options.
- Consider adding chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture for extra nutrition and texture.
- If watching carbs, swap the Pillsbury crust with a cauliflower or zucchini-based alternative for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg