The Ultimate Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Recipe for Dinner Bliss

Sinking your teeth into a mouthwatering meat lovers pizza casserole that combines all the flavors you adore in one hearty dish.

Layers of savory meats dance with melted cheese and crispy crust, creating a culinary masterpiece that screams comfort.

pizza night just got a serious upgrade with this incredible casserole.

Every bite promises a symphony of pepperoni, sausage, and bacon that will make your taste buds dance.

Weeknight dinners need never be boring again with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Forget complicated meals – this casserole brings restaurant-quality deliciousness straight to your kitchen.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe and prepare to become the dinner hero of your household.

What To Eat With Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Complement the rich, meaty flavors of the casserole with a robust Italian red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which cuts through the richness and enhances the savory notes.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Balance the hearty casserole with a crisp arugula salad tossed in a light lemon vinaigrette, adding a zesty contrast to the heavy pasta dish.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Crisp up some garlic bread to soak up the delicious meat sauce, providing an extra layer of flavor and texture that perfectly matches the casserole's indulgent profile.
• Enjoy with Craft Beer: Select a hoppy IPA or amber ale that can stand up to the strong meat and cheese flavors, creating a delightful pairing that elevates the entire meal experience.

Ways To Tweak Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

• Veggie Lover's Pizza Casserole: Swap ground meats with plant-based crumbles or roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Add spinach and use vegetarian marinara sauce for a hearty meatless version.
• Spicy Southwest Pizza Casserole: Replace Italian sausage with spicy chorizo. Mix in black beans, corn, and jalapeños. Swap marinara for salsa and sprinkle pepper jack cheese on top for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Style Pizza Casserole: Use ground lamb instead of beef. Add kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh oregano. Swap marinara for a lighter tomato sauce with Mediterranean herbs.
• Chicken Alfredo Pizza Casserole: Substitute ground meats with shredded rotisserie chicken. Use creamy Alfredo sauce instead of marinara. Top with extra mozzarella and fresh parsley for a rich, creamy variation.

Things People Ask About Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

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

Absolutely! You can swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even use a plant-based meat alternative. The key is to keep the same cooking method and seasonings to maintain the delicious flavor profile.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes! This casserole is perfect for kids who love pizza flavors. The combination of pasta, meat, and cheese makes it a crowd-pleaser that children typically enjoy. The familiar pizza-like taste helps even picky eaters clean their plates.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Definitely! You can prepare the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if you’re cooking it straight from the refrigerator. This makes it a great make-ahead meal for busy families.

• How can I make this recipe spicier?

To add some heat, include red pepper flakes in the meat sauce, use spicy Italian sausage, or add some diced jalapeños. These simple additions can kick up the heat while keeping the core pizza casserole flavor intact.

Why Everyone Loves Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

• Devour Meaty Pizza Perfection: This casserole combines the best of pizza and pasta, delivering a mouthwatering explosion of flavors that will make meat lovers cheer with excitement.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: With easy preparation and minimal dishes, this one-pan wonder transforms complex pizza ingredients into a comforting, hassle-free meal that comes together in under an hour.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Loaded with pepperoni, ground beef, Italian sausage, and multiple cheeses, this dish guarantees a satisfying meal that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: The recipe offers flexibility to swap ingredients, adjust spice levels, or add extra toppings, ensuring every bite matches your personal taste preferences and culinary creativity.

What Goes Inside Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

• Ground Beef: Rich meat with deep flavor, choose lean cut for less grease.
• Italian Sausage: Adds spicy and robust taste, select mild or hot version.
• Pepperoni: Classic pizza topping with intense meaty taste, provides extra protein.

• Pasta: Classic base for casserole, select short pasta like penne or rotini.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic Italian tomato sauce, ensures moisture and traditional flavor.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté meat and adds subtle Mediterranean taste.
• Onion: Provides sweet and aromatic foundation for meat sauce.
• Garlic: Adds sharp and deep flavor, essential for authentic taste.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy melting cheese, creates delicious stringy texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and salty cheese, adds complex flavor profile.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that gives authentic pizza-like taste.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings for enhancing overall flavor.
• Fresh Basil or Parsley: Optional garnish for fresh herbal touch.

How To Make Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole At Home

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375F (190C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Boil the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and sprinkle in some salt. Toss in the pasta and cook until it’s perfectly tender. Once done, drain and set aside.

Step 3: Create the Meaty Masterpiece

• Ground beef
• Italian sausage

Brown the meat, breaking it into delicious crumbly bits. Add chopped onions and let them dance around until soft. Sprinkle in minced garlic and let it sizzle for a minute.

• Chopped pepperoni
• Marinara sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper

Let the sauce bubble and simmer for a few minutes, creating a flavor explosion.

Step 4: Build Your Casserole Layers

Combine the cooked pasta with the meaty sauce in the baking dish. Mix everything until it’s perfectly blended. Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese. For extra pizza vibes, scatter some pepperoni slices on top. Crown the casserole with another layer of mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the oven. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes until the cheese turns into a molten, bubbly landscape. For a golden-brown finish, switch to broil for 2-3 minutes – but keep a close eye to prevent burning!

Step 6: Serve and Devour

Pull the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. If you’re feeling fancy, scatter some fresh basil or parsley on top. Grab a fork and dive into this ultimate comfort food!

Smart Tips For Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

• Pasta Perfection: Choose medium-sized pasta like penne or rigatoni to capture more sauce and create better texture in the casserole.
• Meat Mix Magic: Blend ground beef and Italian sausage for deeper flavor complexity and richer meat profile.
• Cheese Layer Trick: Reserve some cheese to sprinkle on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a gorgeous golden-brown melted finish.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with adding red pepper flakes or extra Italian seasoning for those who love a bolder taste experience.
• Make-Ahead Miracle: Assemble the casserole in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve – perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

How To Save And Reheat Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

• Refrigerate: Store leftover meat lovers pizza casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain optimal freshness and taste.
• Freeze: Pack the cooled casserole in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 2-3 months, ensuring you label the container with the date to track storage time.
• Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350F. Cover casserole with foil to prevent drying and bake for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes to restore cheese's crispy texture.
• Microwave Option: Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the internal temperature reaches 165F for food safety.

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty meat lovers pizza casserole brings Italian-American comfort to dinner tables with its layered blend of savory ingredients. Melted cheese, pepperoni, sausage, and crisp crust combine for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 cup chopped pepperoni

Cheese and Pasta

• 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini or penne pasta
• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Sauce and Seasonings

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24-ounce/680 grams) jar marinara or tomato basil pasta sauce
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional: Additional pepperoni slices for topping

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Instructions

1. Prep the kitchen workspace by heating the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until perfectly tender, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking down the meat while cooking until it develops a rich brown color.
4. Incorporate diced onions into the meat mixture, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant. Introduce minced garlic and cook briefly to release its aromatic qualities.
5. Fold in chopped pepperoni, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer, developing deep, complex flavors for several minutes.
6. Transfer the cooked pasta into the prepared baking dish, then thoroughly combine with the robust meat sauce to ensure even distribution.
7. Create a generous cheese layer by sprinkling mozzarella across the pasta mixture. Strategically place additional pepperoni slices for extra flavor and visual appeal.
8. Blanket the top with remaining mozzarella and a dusting of Parmesan cheese, creating a golden, promising surface.
9. Encase the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and marry.
10. Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, slightly crisp layer. For an extra golden finish, briefly broil the casserole, watching carefully to prevent burning.
11. Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven, letting the ingredients settle and flavors intensify.
12. Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley for a final touch of brightness and serve hot, revealing the delicious layers within.

Notes

• Customize the meat blend by swapping ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
• Spice up the casserole with red pepper flakes or hot sauce if you prefer a more intense flavor profile.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to make weeknight cooking faster and easier, chopping onions and measuring spices in advance.
• Transform this dish into a vegetarian option by replacing meat with plant-based sausage or extra vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg