Sizzling Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Recipe: Family Favorite

Crafting a mouthwatering meat lovers pizza casserole satisfies those deep cravings for comfort food with a twist.

Layers of savory ingredients promise a hearty meal that brings excitement to your dinner table.

Pepperoni, sausage, and ground beef combine in a cheesy blend that melts perfectly between crispy edges.

Each bite delivers a punch of flavor that reminds you of your favorite pizzeria.

Cheese stretches with every forkful, creating irresistible moments of culinary joy.

Simple ingredients transform into something magical when mixed with love and creativity.

You’ll want to make this recipe again and again for everyone who craves a delicious, no-fuss meal.

Why Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Is Always A Win

• Devour Meaty Layers: Packed with sausage, ham, and pepperoni, this casserole delivers an epic protein punch that satisfies serious meat cravings.
• Transform Pizza Night: Transforms traditional pizza into a hearty, comforting casserole that brings all the classic flavors into one delicious dish.
• Perfect for Crowd-Pleasing: Ideal for feeding hungry families or gathering friends, this recipe serves multiple people with minimal preparation and maximum flavor.
• Customize with Ease: Swap meats, adjust cheese quantities, or add extra toppings to personalize the casserole according to individual preferences and dietary needs.

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Ingredient List

• Sausage: A flavorful ground meat that adds richness and depth to the casserole.
• Ham: Cubed meat that provides additional protein and savory flavor.
• Pepperoni: Adds a classic pizza-style spicy and meaty topping.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy cheese that melts beautifully and creates a classic pizza-like texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor to enhance the overall taste.

• Pasta: The foundational starch that serves as the base of the casserole.
• Spaghetti Sauce: Provides moisture and traditional pizza-like flavor to the dish.

• Onions, Garlic, Oregano: Seasonings that build a robust and authentic pizza-inspired flavor profile.

Easy Guide To Make Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Turn the oven to 375°F to get it ready for baking. This ensures the perfect temperature for your delicious casserole.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Boil the pasta until it reaches al dente perfection. Quickly rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then drain completely and set aside.

Step 3: Sizzle the Sausage

• Onions
• Garlic
• Oregano

Cook until the sausage turns golden brown and the onions become soft and translucent. If there’s excess grease, drain it away.

Step 4: Prepare the Baking Dish

Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread a thin, even layer of spaghetti sauce across the bottom to create a delicious base.

Step 5: Create the First Layer

• 1/3 of the pasta
• 1/3 of the sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Sprinkle the cooked sausage mixture evenly across the top.

Step 6: Construct the Second Layer

• Remaining pasta
• Remaining sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Scatter cubed ham evenly over the cheese.

Step 7: Top with the Final Layer

• Remaining pasta
• Remaining sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Arrange sliced pepperoni on top for a perfect finish.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 40 minutes. Watch as it transforms into a bubbling, golden masterpiece.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after baking. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier. Slice, serve, and enjoy the ultimate meat lovers’ dream!

Tips To Help With Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

• Drain Pasta Perfectly: Rinse cooked pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping, ensuring a perfect texture for your casserole.
• Layer Strategically: Create even layers of pasta, sauce, and meats to distribute flavors and ensure every bite is deliciously balanced with different ingredients.
• Control Grease Wisely: Drain excess fat from sausage to keep the casserole from becoming too oily and maintain a rich, appetizing consistency.
• Choose Quality Meats: Select fresh, high-quality sausage, ham, and pepperoni to elevate the overall taste and richness of the meat lovers pizza casserole.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Sprinkle cheese evenly across layers and let it melt naturally during baking for a gooey, golden-brown topping that looks and tastes incredible.

Creative Combos For Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

• Vegetarian Pizza Casserole: Replace meat with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, tempeh, or textured vegetable protein, keeping the same layering technique and seasonings.
• Gluten-Free Pizza Casserole: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Pizza Casserole: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, reduce sauce quantity, and use low-carb meat options like chicken or turkey sausage.
• Mediterranean-Style Pizza Casserole: Add feta cheese, replace pepperoni with sliced kalamata olives, incorporate spinach, and sprinkle with dried oregano and basil for a Mediterranean flavor profile.

Perfect Sides For Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

• Pair Hearty Red Wine: Select a robust Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich meaty flavors and cuts through the cheesy casserole's intensity.
• Crisp Salad Companion: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy casserole, adding fresh, zesty notes that cleanse the palate between bites.
• Create Garlic Bread Sidekick: Prepare crusty garlic bread with herbs to soak up extra sauce and provide a crunchy texture contrast to the soft, cheesy casserole layers.
• Refresh with Cold Beer: Choose a medium-bodied amber ale or lager that matches the casserole's bold meat and cheese profile, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the rich dish.

Storing Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole The Right Way

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and food safety.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover casserole with foil to prevent excessive browning. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Questions Answered

• Can I use different types of meat?

Yes, you can swap sausage, ham, or pepperoni with ground beef, bacon, or salami to customize your casserole based on your meat preferences.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! This casserole reheats well and can be prepared ahead of time. You can assemble it the night before and bake when ready to eat.

• How can I make this recipe spicier?

Add red pepper flakes to the sausage while cooking or use spicy Italian sausage instead of regular sausage to increase the heat level.

• Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Replace meat with plant-based alternatives like veggie sausage, tofu crumbles, or additional vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms to maintain similar texture and flavor.

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savor bold flavors in this meat lovers pizza casserole, where pepperoni, sausage, and ground beef meld into a hearty one-pan marvel. Melted cheese and zesty marinara sauce complete this irresistible comfort dish that brings pizzeria magic directly to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 pound mild pork sausage
• 1 pound cooked ham (cubed)
• Sliced pepperoni (as desired)

Cheese and Dairy:

• 3 8-ounce bags shredded mozzarella cheese
• 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Other Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound bow tie pasta
• 2 26-ounce jars spaghetti sauce
• 1 large onion (diced)
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with light grease.
2. Cook pasta until tender, then rinse with cold water and drain completely.
3. In a skillet, brown sausage with onions, garlic, and oregano until meat is fully cooked and onions become translucent. Remove excess grease.
4. Create first layer by spreading thin spaghetti sauce on baking dish bottom, then add 1/3 of pasta, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
5. Distribute cooked sausage mixture evenly across first layer.
6. Construct second layer using remaining pasta, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
7. Scatter cubed ham uniformly over second layer’s cheese.
8. Top with final layer of remaining pasta, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
9. Arrange pepperoni slices across the surface for complete coverage.
10. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
11. Allow casserole to rest 5 minutes before serving to help set and enhance flavor melding.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, as it will continue to absorb moisture in the casserole.
• Grease Control: Drain excess fat from the sausage to keep the dish from becoming too greasy and maintain a cleaner, more appetizing texture.
• Layering Technique: Create even layers for consistent flavor distribution, making sure each bite has a balanced mix of meat, cheese, and sauce.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free options, use turkey sausage for a leaner version, or substitute vegetarian meat alternatives for a plant-based twist.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 834 kcal
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 1720 mg
• Fat: 53 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 54 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg