Pepperoni & Ground Beef Pizza Casserole

This delicious Pepperoni & Ground Beef Pizza Casserole has all the flavors of a classic pizza without the need for a traditional pizza crust! It features seasoned ground beef, savory pizza sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and plenty of crispy pepperoni slices.

It’s cheesy, hearty, easy to prepare, and perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Recipe Information
– Prep Time: 15 minutes
– Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
– Total Time: 40–45 minutes
– Servings: 6
– Calories: Approximately 390 per serving
– Difficulty: Easy
– Cooking Method: Oven-baked
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ingredient Quantity
Ground beef (lean) 1 lb (450 g)
Pepperoni slices 20–25
Shredded mozzarella cheese 2 cups
Pizza sauce 1 cup
Parmesan cheese ¼ cup
Small onion, finely chopped ½
Garlic, minced 2 cloves
Italian seasoning 1 tsp
Dried oregano ½ tsp
Paprika ½ tsp
Salt ½ tsp, or to taste
Black pepper ¼ tsp
Olive oil 1 tsp
Red pepper flakes Optional

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven
– Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
– Lightly grease a round 9-inch baking dish or similar casserole dish.
2. Cook the ground beef
– Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
– Add ground beef and break it into small pieces.
– Add chopped onion and minced garlic.
– Cook for 7–9 minutes until the beef is completely browned.
– Drain excess grease.
3. Season the beef
– Add Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
– Stir well to distribute the seasonings.
– Cook for another minute to release the flavors.
4. Add the pizza sauce
– Pour pizza sauce into the skillet.
– Stir until the beef is evenly coated.
– Simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Assemble the casserole
– Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
– Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the beef.
– Add shredded mozzarella in an even layer.
– Arrange pepperoni slices across the top, spacing them evenly.
– Add a little extra oregano if desired.
6. Bake
– Place the dish in the preheated oven.
– Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes.
– Continue baking until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden and the pepperoni is slightly crisp.
7. Rest and serve
– Remove from the oven.
– Allow the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes.
– Slice or scoop into portions.
– Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Estimated values per serving, based on 6 servings and the ingredients listed.
Nutrient Amount
Calories 390 kcal
Protein 31 g
Total Fat 27 g
Saturated Fat 12 g
Carbohydrates 5 g
Fiber 1 g
Total Sugar 3 g
Cholesterol 100 mg
Sodium 850 mg

Nutrition values vary depending on the fat percentage of beef, cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce.
Nut Information & Allergen Guide
Naturally Nut-Free Ingredients
This recipe does not require peanuts or tree nuts.
– Peanuts: None in the basic recipe.
– Almonds: None.
– Walnuts: None.
– Cashews: None.
– Pecans: None.
– Pistachios: None.
– Hazelnuts: None.
– Macadamia nuts: None.
Other allergen information:
– Milk: Present in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
– Soy: May be present in some processed pepperoni or sauces.
– Wheat/gluten: Check pizza sauce and pepperoni labels for additives or cross-contact.
– Eggs: Not required in this recipe.
Important: If cooking for someone with a nut allergy, check all product labels and manufacturing cross-contact warnings. Naturally nut-free ingredients do not guarantee that packaged products are free from traces of nuts.
Helpful Cooking Tips
1. Choose lean beef: 90–93% lean ground beef helps reduce excess grease.
2. Avoid watery casserole: Drain the beef thoroughly before adding pizza sauce.
3. Extra cheesy: Combine mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan.
4. Crispy pepperoni: Add a few extra pepperoni slices during the final 5 minutes of baking.
5. Make it spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or spicy pepperoni.
6. Vegetable boost: Add mushrooms, green bell peppers, or black olives.
7. Low-carb option: Use a no-added-sugar pizza sauce and check the labels of processed meats.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q1: Can I make this pizza casserole ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Q2: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or ground chicken works well. Season generously for the best pizza flavor.

Q3: Is this recipe keto-friendly?

It can fit into a low-carb or keto-style diet when prepared with low-carb pizza sauce and suitable pepperoni. Always check the carbohydrate count on the labels.

Q4: Can I make it without pepperoni?

Yes! You can replace pepperoni with cooked Italian sausage, bacon, mushrooms, or extra vegetables.

Q5: What cheese works best?

Mozzarella is ideal because it melts beautifully. Parmesan adds a delicious savory flavor, while provolone makes it extra creamy.

Q6: How do I store leftovers?

Place cooled leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3–4 days.

Q7: Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes. Freeze in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Q8: How do I reheat leftovers?
– Oven: 350°F (175°C) for approximately 10–15 minutes.
– Microwave: Heat individual portions for 1–2 minutes, checking periodically.
Q9: What can I serve with pizza casserole?

Try a fresh garden salad, roasted broccoli, garlic green beans, cauliflower rice, or cucumber tomato salad.

Q10: Why is my casserole watery?

The most common reasons are excess grease from ground beef, watery vegetables, or thin pizza sauce. Drain the beef and sauté vegetables before assembling.
Serving Suggestions

8

– Serve with Caesar salad.
– Pair with roasted zucchini.
– Add steamed broccoli.
– Serve with garlic cauliflower bites.
– Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
Final Result: A delicious, cheesy, meaty pizza casserole with savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and golden pepperoni. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or anyone craving pizza without traditional crust!