Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

Introduction

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining the irresistibly bold flavors of classic pizza with the ease and comfort of a baked casserole. This dish layers hearty meats, melty cheese, and a zesty tomato sauce over a tender pasta base—capturing everything you love about pizza in a shareable, satisfying bake. Whether you’re feeding a family or hosting a party, this casserole makes dinner both fun and incredibly easy to prepare.

Why You’ll Love This Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

What makes this casserole stand out is its flexibility and robust flavor. Loaded with sausage, pepperoni, bacon, and ground beef, every bite is rich and satisfying. The recipe comes together quickly and bakes up bubbly without fuss, making it a weeknight winner and an instant favorite for gatherings or potlucks.

Perfectly Balanced Pizza Sauce and Toppings

Start with a bold, garlicky tomato sauce—homemade or store-bought—to coat your cooked pasta. Then layer on plenty of cheeses like mozzarella and parmesan for creaminess. Mix in and top your base with generous amounts of classic pizza meats: crumbled Italian sausage, pepperoni slices, diced bacon, and seasoned ground beef. For even more depth, add sliced bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms if you like.

Easy Layering for Big Flavor

Assembling is straightforward: spoon a layer of sauce-coated pasta into your casserole dish, sprinkle with cheese, and add the meat mixture. Repeat the layers, finishing with a lavish cheese topping and extra pepperoni for a classic pizza look. Bake until bubbly and golden. Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete pizza-inspired meal.

Serving Suggestions for Maximum Crowd Appeal

Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley for color, and offer crushed red pepper or parmesan on the side. Slice into hearty portions to encourage seconds. This casserole reheats beautifully, making it great for meal prep and next-day lunches, too.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes 6 to 8 generous servings. Each serving contains approximately 500–650 calories, depending on your choice of meats, cheese, and sauce. While rich and indulgent, it provides a substantial and satisfying meal—ideal for those craving comfort food in pizza form!

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole (Recap)

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole is the ideal dish for anyone who craves the meaty, cheesy flavors of pizza in a super-convenient, baked casserole format. It’s a surefire family favorite and a dependable recipe for any occasion.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
2. Cook pasta to al dente per package instructions; drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook Italian sausage and ground beef, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
4. (Optional) Sauté onion and bell pepper in the same skillet for 2–3 minutes until softened.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, marinara or pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cooked meats, half the pepperoni, and (if using) sautéed vegetables. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
7. Add the remaining pasta mixture, then sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Arrange the rest of the pepperoni on top for a pizza-style finish.
8. Bake uncovered for 22–28 minutes, or until hot, bubbly, and the cheese is golden in spots.
9. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole is a meal prep dream—it reheats perfectly and even freezes well, making it ideal for planning ahead. Save and schedule this recipe to organize your weekly dinners and generate smart, consolidated shopping lists.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities for all your planned recipes
• Organizes your shopping list by grocery store section for faster shopping
• Helps you avoid duplicate purchases and forgotten essentials
• Simplifies weekly meal prep with streamlined planning

Pro tip: When mapping out your week, schedule this casserole alongside other recipes for batch-cooking. For example, if several planned dishes use Italian sausage or cheese, CookifyAI will total it up, saving you time and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes