Name: Meat Pizza Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (85/15 lean); 8 oz Italian sausage, casings removed (spicy or mild); 1 small onion, finely diced; 1 green bell pepper, finely diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 24 oz crushed tomatoes; 6 oz tomato paste; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried basil; ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional); Salt and pepper to taste; 8 oz sliced pepperoni; 1 cup sliced black olives (optional); ½ cup banana peppers or jalapeños, sliced (optional); 10 oz uncooked pasta (penne or rigatoni); 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup shredded provolone or fontina cheese; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Description

This meat pizza casserole combines all the flavors of your favorite pizza—savory meats, rich tomato sauce, melted cheese, and classic toppings—layered into a hearty baked dish. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, it’s simple to make and loved by the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (85/15 lean)
8 oz Italian sausage, casings removed (spicy or mild)
1 small onion, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
24 oz crushed tomatoes
6 oz tomato paste
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
8 oz sliced pepperoni
1 cup sliced black olives (optional)
½ cup banana peppers or jalapeños, sliced (optional)
10 oz uncooked pasta (penne or rigatoni)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded provolone or fontina cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil a large pot of salted water for the pasta.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until no pink remains (5–7 minutes).
Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until softened (4 minutes).
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer 8–10 minutes.
Cook pasta until just shy of al dente. Drain well.
Combine pasta with two-thirds of the meat sauce in a large bowl.
In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, pepperoni, olives, banana peppers, and cheeses. Repeat layers.
Cover with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Let rest 5–10 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

Use ground turkey or vegetarian crumbles as alternatives to beef and sausage.
Substitute jarred marinara sauce for faster prep.
Add mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for extra vegetables.

Assemble ahead of time and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes