Description
Indulge in the flavors of a classic meat lovers pizza in casserole form with this hearty and satisfying Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Sauce and Cheese:
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or pizza sauce
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the meat mixture: In a skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned. Add onion and garlic, then stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and cooked pasta. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine and bake: Mix the pasta mixture with half of the mozzarella, pepperoni, and bacon. Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining cheese and meats. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and browned.
- Serve: Garnish with basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute turkey sausage or lean ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Add vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for extra flavor.
- This dish freezes well—store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous slice
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1080mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
