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
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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