Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

We love pizza. It is that staple go-to, ready in 20 minutes, meal. And when it is eaten out of my kitchen, it many times comes out of the freezer in shrink-wrapped plastic. But, now I have an easy casserole that I can make that is as quick as spaghetti to make and then just requires a little baking time to melt all the cheese together. Meat lovers pizza casserole is a simple pizza pasta casserole recipe that embraces all of the things you love about pizza loaded with pepperoni and sausage.

How to Make Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

This might look a lot like the chicken bacon ranch pizza casserole I made a while back. Well, it is much like that casserole, just the red pizza sauce version. Start with your ground meat of choice. I used ground pork and added a diced onion to the skillet as I browned the meat.

Get a pound of pasta boiling while the meat is cooking. I used bow tie pasta because I think it is great at catching sauce. Then, when the meat is completely cooked, drain any excess grease and return to the pan. Then add the red sauce.

You basically need two jars of spaghetti sauce. I can't seem to keep anything simple or in stock. So, I compromised with a jar of pizza sauce and a can of diced tomatoes as a substitute for another jar of spaghetti sauce. I poured the sauces and tomatoes into the cooked meat,and simmered while I added a dash of balsamic vinegar, a tablespoon of brown sugar and some pasta sprinkle or oregano. When the pasta is done, it is time to get assembling. Start by putting ⅓ of the red meat sauce in the bottom of a 13 x 9 pan followed by ⅓ of the pasta.

Then if you are wanting to add 1-1.5 cups of shredded mozzarella or pizza blend cheese.

Then you can add any additional "toppings" you would put on your pizza. We added pepperoni. But if you like mushrooms or peppers or onions or ham, add it all. The more the merrier. Then repeat the layers two more times. My casserole ended with pepperoni on top.

Then bake time! Bake on 375 for 30-40 minutes till the casserole is bubbling.

Then, let it rest for a minutes and enjoy!

Substitutions

If you're looking to customize or make substitutions for the Meat Lover's Pizza Casserole recipe, there are plenty of options to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. Here are some ideas:

1. Meat Substitutions:
   • Instead of pepperoni, Italian sausage, and bacon, you can use other meats such as cooked chicken, ground beef, turkey sausage, or even meatless alternatives like tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
   • Experiment with different combinations of meats or use your favorite deli meats sliced thinly.
2. Cheese Variations:
   • While mozzarella cheese is traditional, feel free to use other cheeses like cheddar, provolone, Monterey Jack, or a blend of Italian cheeses for added flavor.
   • If you're looking to reduce dairy or prefer dairy-free options, you can use vegan cheese substitutes made from soy, almond, or cashews.
3. Pasta Alternatives:
   • Bow Tie pasta works well in this recipe, but you can substitute it with other pasta shapes such as penne, rigatoni, rotini, or farfalle. You can also use gluten-free pasta if you're sensitive to gluten.
4. Sauce Options:
   • While marinara sauce is classic, you can switch it up with other tomato-based sauces like arrabbiata for a spicy kick or Alfredo sauce for a creamy twist.
   • Homemade sauces using fresh tomatoes or roasted vegetables can add depth of flavor and freshness to the casserole.
5. Vegetable Additions:
   • Add more vegetables to boost nutrition and flavor. Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, or diced tomatoes are all great options. Sauté them before layering into the casserole for extra flavor.
6. Herb and Seasoning Variations:
   • Customize the flavor profile by adding different herbs and seasonings. Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley can enhance the taste.
7. Gluten-Free and Low-Carb Options:
   • If you're following a gluten-free or low-carb diet, you can use gluten-free pasta or substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash for a lighter, vegetable-based version of the casserole.

Variations to Pizza Casserole

There are numerous variations you can explore to customize the Meat Lover's Pizza Casserole recipe according to your taste preferences or dietary needs. Here are some ideas to inspire your culinary creativity:

1. Mediterranean Twist:
   • Use Mediterranean-inspired ingredients such as feta cheese, Kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, and fresh basil. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with dried oregano and crushed red pepper flakes for a burst of flavor.
2. Taco Pizza Casserole:
   • Swap the marinara sauce for salsa or enchilada sauce, and replace the Italian meats with seasoned ground beef or turkey cooked with taco seasoning. Layer with black beans, corn, jalapeños, and shredded Mexican cheese blend. Top with sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, and cilantro.
3. BBQ Chicken Pizza Casserole:
   • Toss cooked chicken with your favorite barbecue sauce and layer it over the pasta, caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese. Finish with a drizzle of barbecue sauce and chopped fresh cilantro before baking.
4. Supreme Pizza Style:
   • Load the casserole with all the classic pizza toppings, including pepperoni, Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives. Feel free to add any other favorite pizza toppings you enjoy, such as ham, pineapple, or jalapeños.
5. Four Cheese Blend:
   • Create a decadent four-cheese blend using mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and Gouda or fontina cheese. Layer the casserole with the cheese blend for a gooey and flavorful experience.
6. Spicy Jalapeño and Chorizo Variation:
   • Add sliced jalapeños and crumbled chorizo sausage for a spicy kick. Mix in some diced green chilies or sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes to turn up the heat.
7. White Pizza Casserole:
   • Skip the marinara sauce and create a white pizza casserole using a creamy Alfredo sauce or garlic white sauce. Layer with cooked chicken, bacon, roasted garlic, and a blend of Italian cheeses for a chicken bacon ranch pizza casserole.
8. Buffalo Chicken Style:
   • Toss cooked chicken with buffalo sauce and layer it over the pasta along with blue cheese crumbles, chopped celery, and diced carrots. Drizzle with ranch dressing before serving for a classic buffalo chicken flavor.

Feel free to mix and match ingredients to create your own unique variations of the Meat Lover's Pizza Casserole. The possibilities are endless, so don't be afraid to get creative and have fun experimenting in the kitchen!

Easy Pizza Recipes

What to Serve with Pizza Casserole

Serve the meat lovers pizza casserole with an antipasto salad dressed with vinaigrette. Don't forget the garlic English Muffins or breadsticks make a delicious addition to the meal.

📖 Recipe

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

Meat lovers pizza casserole is a simple pizza pasta casserole recipe that embraces all of the things you love about pizza loaded with pepperoni and sausage.

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Course: Entree, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: pasta bake, pizza casserole

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 697kcal

Author: Leah @ Beyer Beware

Ingredients

• 1 lb bow tie pasta
• 1 lb ground pork or beef
• 1 large onion medium size diced
• 2 jars spaghetti sauce or equivalent of pizza sauce and diced tomatoes
• ½-1 lb of sliced pepperoni*
• 4-5 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
• ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pasta sprinkle dried oregano
• *Any additional toppings can be used that you normally put on your pizza. You will need about a cup of each topping.

Instructions

• Cook pasta till el dente while you begin browning meat.
  
• Brown ground meat with chopped onion. When completely cooked, drain grease and return meat to the pan.
  
• Add sauce to the meat and simmer as you add the balsamic, brown sugar and pasta sprinkle.
  
• In a lightly greased 9x13 pan, pour a small amount of meat sauce to lightly coat bottom.
  
• Begin layering with ⅓ of the pasta, 1-1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese, 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese, pepperoni or any other toppings followed by ⅓ of the sauce.
  
• Repeat layers two more times. On the last layer, pour the sauce over the pasta instead of cheese and toppings.
  
• Cook on 375 for 30-40 minutes.
  

Nutrition

Calories: 697kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 955mg | Potassium: 431mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 411IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 361mg | Iron: 2mg

It was a big hit along side the chicken bacon ranch pizza casserole.

Can't wait to see what everyone has prepared this week for Hunk of Meat Monday!

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Leah

A working mom of two very active teenagers. My husband and I gave up running the 80-cow dairy farm that also included a couple of hundred acres of corn and soybeans to both work to support the agricultural industry. We still have about 20 head of dairy heifers and cows to help my kids appreciate the effort it takes to raise livestock. I consider myself a foodie as I love cooking and experimenting with recipes. My family just wishes I would make the same thing twice. Find my other blog, FarmWifeDrinks.com for all things cocktails.

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