Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake

Description

Indulge in the Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake, a savory and hearty casserole that encapsulates the essence of everyone’s favorite dish—pizza. This recipe ingeniously combines a variety of traditional pizza toppings layered between rich, bubbling cheese and a crispy crust. Perfect for family dinners or celebrating game day with friends, this pizza bake is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 lb sausage, mild or spicy (according to preference)
• 1 cup chopped pepperoni
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
• 1 26-oz jar tomato basil pasta sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 13.8-oz can refrigerated pizza crust dough
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Step-by-step Directions

1. Prepare the Meat Mixture

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and sausage until browned and fully cooked, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

2. Add Seasoning and Pepperoni

Add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to the skillet and incorporate the chopped pepperoni. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture, for an even distribution, stir thoroughly to coat the meat.

3. Add Sauce and Simmer

Pour the tomato basil pasta sauce into the skillet, mixing it thoroughly with the meat. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly, then remove from heat.

4. Assemble the Casserole

Preheat your oven to 400F (200C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread the meat sauce as the first layer. Evenly sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese over the meat.

5. Add the Pizza Crust

Unroll the refrigerated pizza crust dough and lay it over the cheese layer, stretching it to fit the baking dish. Brush the top of the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning.

6. Bake and Add Cheese Topping

Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust turns golden brown. Then, remove from oven and evenly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella along with the Parmesan cheese over the crust. Return to oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese turns melted and bubbly.

Servings & Preparation Time

This recipe serves approximately 6 to 8 people. Prep time is about 20 minutes, with a cooking time of 20 minutes, totaling approximately 40 minutes from start to finish.

Tips for Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Cool the casserole completely before covering and storing in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350F until warmed through (approximately 10-15 minutes), or microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes on high power.

Conclusion

The Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake is a delightful twist on traditional pizza, offering a rich blend of flavors encased in a perfectly crispy crust. Whether you are looking to impress guests or just want to treat your family to a delightful meal, this pizza bake is sure to satisfy any craving for comfort food. Simple to prepare and bursting with flavor, it is a fabulous addition to any meal plan.

Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake

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• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x

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Description

Indulge in the Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake, a savory and hearty casserole that encapsulates the essence of everyone’s favorite dish—pizza. This recipe ingeniously combines a variety of traditional pizza toppings layered between rich, bubbling cheese and a crispy crust. Perfect for family dinners or celebrating game day with friends, this pizza bake is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 lb sausage, mild or spicy (according to preference)
• 1 cup chopped pepperoni
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
• 1 26-oz jar tomato basil pasta sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 13.8-oz can refrigerated pizza crust dough
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and sausage until browned and fully cooked, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
2. Add Seasoning and Pepperoni: Add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to the skillet and incorporate the chopped pepperoni. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture, for an even distribution, stir thoroughly to coat the meat.
3. Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour the tomato basil pasta sauce into the skillet, mixing it thoroughly with the meat. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly, then remove from heat.
4. Assemble the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 400F (200C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread the meat sauce as the first layer. Evenly sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese over the meat.
5. Add the Pizza Crust: Unroll the refrigerated pizza crust dough and lay it over the cheese layer, stretching it to fit the baking dish. Brush the top of the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning.
6. Bake and Add Cheese Topping: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust turns golden brown. Then, remove from oven and evenly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella along with the Parmesan cheese over the crust. Return to oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese turns melted and bubbly.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes