Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole is a hearty, oven-baked comfort food that brings all the flavors of a classic pizza into an easy, family-friendly casserole. Made with seasoned ground beef, turkey sausage, beef pepperoni, rich tomato basil sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, and a golden pizza crust topping, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or cozy weekend dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this pizza casserole because it delivers bold pizza flavors with minimal effort. It’s filling, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying while being simple to prepare in one pan. Using beef-based meats makes it suitable for families avoiding pork, and the baked pizza crust topping gives you that irresistible pizzeria-style finish without the hassle of making pizza from scratch.
Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole
Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for anyone who loves pizza but wants something easier, heartier, and more family-style. This baked dish transforms classic pizza ingredients into a warm, cheesy casserole that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
Pizza casseroles have become a favorite in many households because they’re simple, customizable, and incredibly satisfying. Instead of assembling individual pizzas, everything is layered into one pan and baked to perfection.
This recipe is inspired by the flavors of a traditional meat lovers pizza, but adapted to be pork-free by using ground beef, turkey sausage, and beef pepperoni. The result is just as savory and indulgent, without compromising dietary preferences.
The seasoned meat base is simmered with rich tomato basil sauce, creating a deeply flavorful layer that tastes like slow-cooked pizza sauce. Italian seasoning ties everything together with classic herb notes.
One of the best parts of this casserole is the refrigerated pizza dough topping. As it bakes, it becomes golden and slightly crisp on the outside while staying soft and chewy inside, just like fresh pizza crust.
Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully throughout the dish, creating that stretchy, gooey texture everyone loves. A sprinkle of parmesan on top adds extra depth and a slightly salty finish.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. It comes together quickly and bakes in under 30 minutes.
It’s also a great option for potlucks, game nights, or casual gatherings. Simply slice and serve, and it’s guaranteed to disappear fast.
Because it’s a casserole, this dish is easy to customize. You can add vegetables, adjust the seasoning, or swap cheeses to suit your taste.
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing, pork-free pizza-inspired dinner that’s easy, filling, and packed with flavor, this Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole is a must-try.
Servings & Time
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
-
1 lb lean ground beef
-
1 lb turkey sausage (beef sausage may also be used)
-
1 cup chopped beef pepperoni
-
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
-
4 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
-
1 (26-oz) jar tomato basil pasta sauce
-
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
-
1 (13.8-oz) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
-
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and turkey sausage until fully browned. Drain excess fat and return meat to skillet.
-
Add beef pepperoni, flour, and 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning. Stir until evenly combined.
-
Stir in the pasta sauce and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Remove from heat.
-
Spoon the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with 1½ cups mozzarella cheese.
-
Unroll the pizza crust dough and carefully place it over the cheese layer.
-
Brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining Italian seasoning, remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.
-
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
-
Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips
Meat Substitutions
-
Use all ground beef if preferred
-
Turkey pepperoni can replace beef pepperoni
Make It Spicy
-
Add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture
Storage
-
Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days
-
Reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture
Serving Ideas
-
Serve with a simple green salad
-
Pair with garlic bread or roasted vegetables
Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb turkey sausage beef sausage may also be used
- 1 cup chopped beef pepperoni
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning divided
- 1 26-oz jar tomato basil pasta sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 13.8-oz can refrigerated pizza crust dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and turkey sausage until fully browned. Drain excess fat and return meat to skillet.
- Add beef pepperoni, flour, and 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning. Stir until evenly combined.
- Stir in the pasta sauce and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Remove from heat.
- Spoon the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with 1½ cups mozzarella cheese.
- Unroll the pizza crust dough and carefully place it over the cheese layer.
- Brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining Italian seasoning, remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Meat Substitutions
- Use all ground beef if preferred
- Turkey pepperoni can replace beef pepperoni
Make It Spicy
- Add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture
Storage
- Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days
- Reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture
Serving Ideas
- Serve with a simple green salad
- Pair with garlic bread or roasted vegetables
