Description
Savory Crustless Pizza Bake delivers Italian-inspired comfort without traditional pizza dough, bringing layers of cheesy goodness and zesty ingredients to your dinner table. Hearty protein and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you will crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (453 grams) ground Italian sausage
Cheese:
- 3 cups (340 grams) mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Sauce:
- 1 jar (24 ounces/680 grams) RAOs marinara sauce
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- Mushrooms, sliced
Optional Toppings:
- Additional toppings of your choice (pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, etc.)
Instructions
- Spread marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a flavorful base layer.
- Combine chopped green peppers, sliced mushrooms, diced onions, crumbled ground sausage, first portion of mozzarella, and additional marinara in a mixing bowl, thoroughly blending ingredients.
- Transfer the mixed topping evenly into the prepared baking dish, ensuring uniform distribution.
- Generously cover the entire surface with remaining mozzarella cheese, creating a rich, melty top layer.
- Place the dish in a preheated 400F (200C) oven and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt completely and ingredients to heat through.
- Optional: Activate the broiler and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes to achieve a golden-brown, crispy cheese crust.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to settle and cheese to set.
- Slice into portions and serve immediately while hot and bubbling, enjoying the robust flavors of this crustless pizza bake.
Notes
- Customize toppings easily by swapping ingredients like pepperoni, olives, or different vegetables to match personal taste preferences.
- Drain excess moisture from mushrooms and green peppers before mixing to prevent watery consistency in the final dish.
- Lower carb option by using lean ground turkey or chicken instead of traditional sausage for a lighter protein choice.
- Enhance flavor depth by adding Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes directly into the mixture for extra zesty notes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 382 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg