The Savory Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Recipe You’ll Adore

Crafting a mouthwatering meat lovers pizza casserole hits all the right comfort food notes for hungry families.

Layers of savory ingredients promise a delightful culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

Pepperoni, sausage, and ground beef combine in a cheesy masterpiece that screams indulgence.

Melted mozzarella blankets each bite with irresistible richness and depth of flavor.

Weeknight dinners rarely get this exciting or satisfying with such minimal effort.

Crispy edges and gooey center guarantee smiles around the dinner table.

You won’t be able to resist diving fork-first into this crowd-pleasing dish that brings pizza and casserole magic together.

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Everyone Will Enjoy

• Satisfy Meat Cravings: Packed with ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and bacon, this casserole delivers a protein-packed punch for serious meat lovers.
• Simplify Dinner Prep: One-pan baked dish eliminates multiple cooking steps, making it a stress-free meal that comes together quickly with minimal kitchen cleanup.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Combines classic pizza flavors with hearty casserole style, creating an irresistible dish that appeals to both kids and adults at family gatherings or potlucks.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows adding extra toppings like black olives or red pepper flakes, letting home cooks personalize the flavor profile to suit their taste preferences.

Ingredients for Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that adds rich flavor and substance to the casserole.
• Italian Sausage: Provides a spicy and savory element that enhances the overall meat taste.
• Pasta: The base of the casserole that creates a satisfying and filling main dish.

• Pepperoni, Bacon: Classic pizza toppings that bring a crispy and salty dimension to the dish.

• Pizza Sauce: Delivers a classic tomato base that ties the pizza flavors together.
• Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning: Spices that boost the authentic pizza-like taste profile.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Melty cheeses that create a gooey and flavorful topping.

• Black Olives, Red Pepper Flakes: Provide extra flavor and optional heat for serving.

How to Bake a Hearty Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Get a large pot of water boiling. Drop in your pasta and cook until it’s perfectly tender but not mushy.

Once done, drain the water and set the pasta aside, ready for its delicious destiny.

Step 2: Sizzle the Meats

Grab a big skillet and heat it up.

Toss in ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them into small crumbles as they cook. Once the meats are fully browned and looking delectable, drain away any extra fat.

Sprinkle in garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pizza sauce, stirring everything together to create a mouthwatering meat mixture.

Step 3: Layer the Casserole

Fire up your oven to 375F.

• First layer of pasta
• Half of the meat mixture
• Scattered pepperoni
• Crispy bacon pieces
• Handful of mozzarella
• Sprinkle of cheddar

Repeat these layers one more time, making sure to end with a generous blanket of cheese on top.

Step 4: Bake and Finish

Slide the casserole into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for bubbling cheese and a golden, slightly crispy top.

For extra pizzazz, scatter some chopped black olives and red pepper flakes over the finished dish. Let it cool for a few minutes before diving in and enjoying your meaty, cheesy creation.

Tips for Layering and Baking Perfection

• Pat ground beef and sausage dry with paper towels to remove excess fat, ensuring a crispy and less greasy casserole.
• Grate cheese fresh for better melting and more even coverage across the entire dish.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on heat preference, adding sparingly for mild flavor or generously for extra kick.
• Press down gently on each layer to create a compact, well-integrated casserole that holds together perfectly when serving.
• Sneak in finely chopped bell peppers or spinach between layers for added nutrition without compromising the meaty flavor.

Variations to Personalize Your Casserole

• Spicy Meat Lover's Kick: Replace Italian sausage with spicy chorizo and add jalapeños for extra heat.
• Vegetarian Pizza Fusion: Swap meat with plant-based crumbles, mushrooms, and bell peppers for a meatless version.
• Mediterranean Inspired: Add crumbled feta, sliced kalamata olives, and sun-dried tomatoes for a Greek-style pizza casserole.
• BBQ Bacon Ranch Remix: Mix in ranch seasoning, drizzle BBQ sauce over layers, and use smoked bacon for a tangy flavor profile.

Pairing Suggestions to Complete Your Meal

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon that matches the hearty meat flavors and cuts through the rich cheese.
• Complement with Crisp Green Salad: Create a light arugula salad with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the casserole's heavy and savory profile.
• Serve with Garlic Bread Sides: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up extra sauce and provide a crunchy texture contrast to the creamy casserole.
• Cool Down with Beer Pairing: Choose a medium-bodied craft beer like amber ale or hoppy IPA that stands up to the intense meat and cheese combination.

Storage Advice for Leftover Casserole

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.

Transfer casserole portions to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date and contents.

Preheat oven to 350F. Cover casserole with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for last 5 minutes to crisp cheese.

Place individual portions on microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stop when internal temperature reaches 165F.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of meat in this casserole?

Yes, you can swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even use sausage links cut into pieces for variety.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids love the pizza-like flavors and cheesy texture, making it a perfect family meal that’s easy to eat.

• How can I make this dish healthier?

Try using lean ground meat, reduced-fat cheeses, and adding some diced vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to boost nutrition.

• Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Definitely! Assemble the casserole, cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Savory meat lovers pizza casserole blends Italian-inspired comfort with hearty layers of pepperoni, sausage, and melted cheese. Rich flavors meld together, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Meat

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage
• 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
• 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled

Cheese and Sauce

• 2 cups pizza sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Pasta and Seasonings

• 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup black olives (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare pasta by boiling in salted water until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Thoroughly drain and set aside.
2. In a robust skillet, combine ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking meat into small crumbles until completely browned and no pink remains. Eliminate excess fat.
3. Enhance meat mixture with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pizza sauce. Stir thoroughly to integrate flavors and create a rich, aromatic base.
4. Warm oven to 375°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
5. Create first layer by spreading half the cooked pasta across bottom of dish. Distribute half the seasoned meat mixture evenly.
6. Strategically arrange pepperoni slices and crispy bacon fragments across meat layer. Sprinkle generously with mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
7. Repeat layering process with remaining pasta, meat, pepperoni, bacon, and cheese. Ensure top layer is completely covered with melting cheese.
8. Transfer casserole to preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese transforms into golden, bubbling perfection.
9. Optional: Garnish with sliced black olives and red pepper flakes for enhanced visual appeal and additional flavor complexity.
10. Allow casserole to rest 5 minutes before serving to enable cheese to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

• Customize the meat blend by experimenting with different ground meats like turkey, chicken, or a spicy sausage for varied flavor profiles.
• Reduce fat content by using lean ground beef, turkey bacon, and part-skim mozzarella cheese without compromising taste.
• Enhance vegetable intake by incorporating hidden veggies like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach into the meat mixture for added nutrition.
• Make it gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with gluten-free pasta options and ensuring pizza sauce is gluten-free certified.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 663
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1020 mg
• Fat: 44 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 43 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg