Description
This Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole combines the hearty flavors of ground beef, pork sausage, and pepperoni in a rich tomato basil sauce, layered with mozzarella and parmesan cheese, all topped with a golden pizza crust. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that brings the ultimate meat feast to your dinner table in a convenient casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb pork sausage
- 1 cup chopped pepperoni
Seasoning and Sauce
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
- 1 (26-oz) jar tomato basil pasta sauce
Cheese and Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Dough and Finishing
- 1 (13.8-oz) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425º F and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Meats: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and pork sausage until no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Add Pepperoni and Seasoning: Stir in the chopped pepperoni, flour, and 3 teaspoons of the Italian seasoning into the cooked meat mixture, blending well. Then add the tomato basil pasta sauce, bring the mixture to a boil, and remove from heat to cool slightly.
- Layer the Casserole: Spoon the meat and sauce mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the top with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese to create a rich, cheesy layer.
- Top with Pizza Crust: Unroll the refrigerated pizza crust dough and lay it over the mozzarella cheese layer. Brush the top of the crust with olive oil, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, additional mozzarella cheese, and grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor and a golden finish.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the cooked meat well to avoid excess grease in the casserole.
- You can substitute pork sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- For extra veggies, consider adding chopped bell peppers or onions to the meat mixture.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after baking to make serving easier.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking.
