This is the ultimate comfort food for anyone who craves a hearty, filling meal. It takes all the best parts of a meat-lover’s deep-dish pizza—the robust sauce, the plethora of meats, and that glorious, cheesy topping—and layers them into an easy-to-serve casserole.
Here is a classic recipe, followed by some tips to make it your own.
The Ultimate Meat Lover’s Deep-Dish Pizza Casserole
This recipe is designed to be rich, satisfying, and packed with flavor. It serves about 6-8 people.
Ingredients
For the “Crust” Base:
· 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 is great for flavor)
· 1 lb mild or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
· 1 small onion, finely chopped
For the Filling & Layers:
· 1 (24 oz) jar of your favorite marinara or pizza sauce
· 1 (15 oz) container of ricotta cheese
· 1 large egg
· 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
· 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
· 1 cup sliced pepperoni
· 4 oz sliced provolone cheese
· 4 oz sliced ham, chopped
· 4 oz cooked bacon, crumbled
· Optional but recommended: 1 (3.5 oz) package of sliced pepperoni for the top layer
· Optional: 8 oz sliced mushrooms, 1 chopped green bell pepper (for any non-meat eaters at the table)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) . Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the Meats for the Crust: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the meat is thoroughly browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease.
- Build the First Layer: Spread the cooked meat mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This forms the hearty, flavorful “crust” of your casserole.
- Add the Sauce: Pour about two-thirds of the jar of pizza sauce over the meat layer and spread it evenly.
- Create the Cheese Layer: In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, the egg, and the grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Gently dollop spoonfuls of this mixture over the sauce layer. It doesn’t need to be perfect—just try to spread it a bit.
- Add the Meats & First Mozzarella: Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella over the ricotta layer. Then, add your layers of sliced pepperoni, chopped ham, and crumbled bacon.
- Top It Off: Place the slices of provolone cheese over the meats. Pour the remaining one-third of the pizza sauce over the provolone. Finally, sprinkle the last 1 cup of shredded mozzarella on top. For that classic pizzeria look, arrange the optional extra pepperoni slices over the cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the cheese on top is melted and starting to turn golden brown in spots.
- Rest & Serve: This is a crucial step! Let the casserole rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the layers to set, so you get beautiful, clean slices instead of a saucy mess. Serve it with a side salad and some crusty bread or garlic knots to soak up any extra sauce.
Tips for the Best Pizza Casserole
· Drain Your Meats: After browning the beef and sausage, be sure to drain the fat well. This prevents the casserole from becoming greasy.
· Get a Crispy Top: For an extra-browned and bubbly cheese topping, you can switch your oven to the broiler setting for the last 1-2 minutes of baking. Watch it very closely so it doesn’t burn!
· Make it Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole (through step 7) up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover it and keep it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, you may need to add about 10-15 minutes to the cooking time since you’ll be starting from cold.
· Go Low-Carb: This recipe is already low in carbohydrates if you skip any veggie add-ins. The meat “crust” keeps it hearty without the need for pasta or bread.
This casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Is there a particular type of meat you’d like to add or swap out, or are you ready to start browning that beef?