ultimate-pizza-casserole-weeknight-favorite

Ultimate Pizza Casserole: A Weeknight Favorite

TOTAL
50min
PREP
20min
COOK
30min
Easy

Craving pizza but want something easier? This Pizza Casserole brings all your favorite pizza flavors – savory beef, zesty pepperoni, fresh veggies, and gooey mozzarella – into one comforting, crowd-pleasing dish. It's the perfect weeknight alternative to pizza night!

550 Calories
30g Protein
40g Carbs
30g Fats

*Nutrition per serving

Casserole
Italian-Inspired
Family Dinner
Weeknight

Ingredients

Servings: 6
1 tbsp (15ml) Olive oil
500g (1 lb) Ground beef
1 medium (approx. 150g / 5.3 oz) Onion
1 medium (approx. 150g / 5.3 oz) Green bell pepper
2 cloves Garlic
100g (3.5 oz) Pepperoni
425g (15 oz) can Pizza sauce
1 tsp (5ml) Italian seasoning
0.5 tsp (2.5ml) Salt
0.25 tsp (1.25ml) Black pepper
250g (9 oz) Cooked pasta
200g (7 oz) Shredded mozzarella cheese
50g (1.75 oz) Grated Parmesan cheese
as desired Optional toppings

Steps

1

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a 23x33cm (9x13 inch) baking dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil. This prevents sticking and ensures easy serving.

2

Heat 1 tbsp (15ml) of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the 500g (1 lb) of ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.

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Ensuring the beef is fully browned and any excess fat is drained is crucial for a cleaner flavor and less greasy casserole.

3

Add the chopped onion (approx. 150g / 5.3 oz) and chopped green bell pepper (approx. 150g / 5.3 oz) to the skillet with the beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5-6 minutes.

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Cooking the vegetables until softened before adding other ingredients helps meld the flavors and ensures they are tender in the final casserole.

4

Stir in the minced garlic (2 cloves) and sliced or chopped pepperoni (100g / 3.5 oz). Cook for another minute until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

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Adding garlic towards the end of the sautéing process prevents it from burning, which can make it bitter.

5

Pour in the pizza sauce (425g / 15 oz can) and stir in the Italian seasoning (1 tsp / 5ml), salt (0.5 tsp / 2.5ml), and black pepper (0.25 tsp / 1.25ml). Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

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Simmering the sauce allows the seasonings to fully infuse into the meat and vegetable mixture.

6

Add the cooked pasta (250g / 9 oz) to the skillet with the meat sauce. Stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated. If using any additional optional vegetable toppings like mushrooms or olives, stir them in now.

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Ensure the pasta is cooked 'al dente' (slightly firm to the bite) as it will continue to cook in the oven. Overcooked pasta can become mushy in the casserole.

7

Spoon the pasta and meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out so it forms a relatively even layer.

8

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese (200g / 7 oz) evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Follow this with the grated Parmesan cheese (50g / 1.75 oz).

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Using a combination of mozzarella for meltiness and Parmesan for flavor adds depth to the cheesy topping.

9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. If you like a crispier top, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

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Keep an eye on the casserole during the last few minutes of baking to ensure the cheese doesn't burn. Oven temperatures can vary.

10

Let the pizza casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the cheese and sauce to set slightly, making it easier to cut and serve neat portions.

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Resting is crucial for casseroles; it helps them hold their shape and prevents them from being too soupy when served.

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