Description
Meat lovers pizza casserole brings classic pizza flavors into a hearty, comforting baked dish that combines melted cheese, savory meats, and rich marinara sauce. Crusty edges, layered proteins, and gooey mozzarella create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 0.5 lb pepperoni
- 0.5 lb italian sausage
Cheese and Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
Base and Seasonings:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 package pizza dough or crescent roll dough
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 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.
- Brown the ground beef, italian sausage, and pepperoni in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking the meats into small crumbles and draining excess fat.
- Stretch or roll out the pizza dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform base layer that covers the entire surface.
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses directly over the dough layer, creating a preliminary cheese foundation.
- Distribute the cooked meat mixture uniformly across the cheese-covered dough, ensuring an even spread of proteins.
- Drizzle marinara sauce over the meat layer, using a spatula to create a consistent coverage that reaches all edges of the dish.
- Season the casserole with italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, sprinkling evenly to guarantee balanced flavor in every bite.
- Pour heavy cream over the entire casserole, which will help create a rich, creamy texture during baking.
- Top the casserole with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, creating a generous cheese blanket.
- Brush the exposed dough edges with olive oil to promote golden browning and enhance overall color.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the crust turns golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving to allow flavors to settle and make cutting easier.
Notes
- Drain meat thoroughly to prevent a soggy casserole base, ensuring crisp and defined layers.
- Experiment with alternative protein options like turkey sausage or plant-based crumbles for a lighter version that maintains robust flavor profiles.
- Add fresh herbs like chopped basil or oregano right before serving to boost freshness and provide a vibrant aromatic lift to the rich dish.
- Use a high-quality marinara sauce to elevate the overall taste, as the sauce significantly impacts the casserole’s core flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg