The Best Homemade Pizza Casserole
Pizza casserole is a dish that combines the flavors of pizza with the convenience of a casserole. It typically consists of layers of cooked pasta, pizza sauce, cheese, and other pizza toppings such as pepperoni or sausage. I made this last week to my guests and it went down so nicely. I love making this pizza as a favorite leftover recipe and it always turns out so delicious.
It’s delicious and this is by far the best homemade pizza casserole I have made! Very easy to make, a good mix of textures.
I ate some and froze the rest in individual containers. The pizza casserole reheats nicely in a microwave and retains its richness and goodness.
Skip your pizza delivery and get down to the real thing with your hands! 😋
This leftover can be served as a main dish or side dish and is popular with both children and adults. The dish is easy to make and can be customized to suit individual tastes. Pizza casserole is often served with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
What Ingredients Are Used To Make Pizza Casserole?
Pizza casserole is a dish that has a very rich history and is often enjoyed for dinner. There are many different types of this yummy dish. The most common ingredients used are ground beef, ground pork, diced onion, tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices.
Other ingredients may include seasonings such as garlic powder, salt, pepper, basil leaves and dried cheese. I like adding a can of sliced mushrooms to the mix. Most of the ingredients I use was mostly inspired by Elisa Bauer’s recipe and the results are just amazing!😍
How To Serve Homemade Pizza Casserole
This Pizza hotdish can be served hot or cold. If served hot, the casserole can be cooked in a large skillet on the stovetop until the mixture is hot and bubbly.
If chilled, a layer of plastic wrap is placed on top of the pan and then covered with a dish towel. The dish can be refrigerated for several hours or overnight to allow the plastic wrap to form a seal.
To reheat the pizza casserole, simply place it on the stovetop and heat it until hot again. Although pizza casseroles are typically eaten with pasta or rice, they can also be enjoyed as an entree by themselves.
The dish can be served with a side salad or vegetables. Pizza casseroles can be served as a main course at dinner or as a side dish at lunch or brunch. In addition to serving pizza casseroles as an entree on its own, they are often served as appetizers at parties.
What Types of Cheese Can Be Used in Pizza Casserole?
This recipe can be made with a variety of cheeses. The most common cheeses used in pizza casserole are mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and ricotta. Personally, I like using mozzarella cheese.
However, other cheeses such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or feta can also be used for a unique flavor. Additionally, adding vegetables such as mushrooms, onions, peppers, or olives can add another layer of flavor to the dish.
For a vegetarian option, you can substitute the meat with tofu or tempeh. Finally, if you want to make this homemade pizza casserole even more decadent and delicious, top it off with some melted butter and breadcrumbs before baking. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to make an amazing pizza casserole that your family will love!
What Other Toppings Can Be Used in Pizza Casserole?
This dish can be served with salad or vegetables. While pizza is usually a quick and easy meal, it can be sometimes difficult to choose the right pizza toppings to make the best pizza casserole.
The topping choices can range from meats, vegetables, and other types of foods, such as pasta and noodles. It is important to choose the right toppings for pizza casserole because the wrong toppings can make the dish too heavy, bland, and tasteless.
For example, some people like to have cheese on their casserole, but if you do not have enough cheese to go on top of the pizza you will not get the right flavor. With too much cheese your casserole will become too heavy.
How Do You Reheat Leftovers?
To reheat the pizza casserole in the oven, place it on a baking sheet in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave it in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
If your leftover meal has dried out, try adding some water or tomato sauce to moisten it before reheating it in the oven.
When the leftover is frozen, place it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. If the dish is not frozen, place it in an oven preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
You can also reheat leftover pizza casserole under the broiler. Place it on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and put it under a preheated broiler for 2 to 4 minutes.
How Do You Reheat Pizza Casserole In A Microwave?
To reheat leftover pizza casserole in the microwave, place 3/4 cup of water into a microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. This will help keep moisture inside the bowl while the casserole reheats.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes; then open the microwave and stir the casserole. Continue microwaving on high for 2 more minutes or until warm throughout.
How Do You Reheat Pizza Casserole In A Crock Pot?
Reheating pizza casserole in a crock-pot is easy and convenient. To reheat the casserole, simply place it in the crock pot and set it to low heat. Let the casserole heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
Once heated through, your pizza casserole is ready to serve. For added flavor, you can add some cheese or other toppings before serving. If you want to make a delicious meal quickly and easily, then pizza casserole is a perfect choice.
It’s a great way to get picky eaters to enjoy their dinner and it’s also an easy way to feed a crowd without having to spend too much time in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients, you can have a delicious meal ready in no time!
What Are Some Variations of Pizza Casserole?
Variations on this classic dish include adding vegetables such as onions, peppers, mushrooms, olives, and even vegetables like spinach or artichoke hearts.
For those who want a meatier version of the dish, ground beef or sausage can be added as I used in this recipe.
For those who are looking for a healthier option, turkey pepperoni or lean ground beef can be used instead of regular pepperoni or sausage.
Additionally, low-fat cheeses can be used to reduce the amount of fat and cholesterol in the dish.
Finally, crushed tortilla chips can be sprinkled on top before baking for those who want to add some crunch to their pizza casserole.
What Are Some Tips for how to Make Pizza Casserole?
Now let me show you some of my best tips on how to make pizza casserole. You need to start with the right recipe. Here are some of the tips:
First, you’ll want to use your favorite kind of pizza dough. This will give your pizza casserole a nice chewy texture. You’ll also want to use your favorite sauce. A tomato sauce is always a good choice, but there are plenty of other delicious sauce options, like pesto or marinara.
Next, add the toppings of your choice. Chicken and broccoli might be the perfect choice for a healthier pizza casserole, while pepperoni will give it that classic pizza taste.
Finally, be sure to add some cheese! It’s always a good idea to add extra cheese so your dish has a gooey melted center that everyone will love. Pizza casseroles are a great way to use leftover pizza.
If you have an extra plain pizza (without the toppings), you can simply top it with sauce and cheese, then bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted. This is great for when you don’t have time to make a fresh pizza from scratch.
Plus, if you’re feeling fancy and want to try something new, you can add things like cream cheese or vegetarian sausage to your casserole to jazz it up.
When it comes to pizza casseroles, there’s no need to skimp on toppings.
You can make your favorite kind of pizza (including using leftover dough), then top it with whatever vegetables you like and add whatever cheeses you want. The possibilities are endless!
Homemade Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. Ghee or other fat
- 1½ lbs. Ground pork sausage casing removed
- 2 cups Sliced mushrooms
- 1 tbsp. Olive oil
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 cup Pizza sauce
- 2 Plum tomatoes diced
- 2 tbsp. Basil leaves sliced
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 2 oz. Pepperoni slices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees; grease an 8 x 8 casserole dish with ghee and set aside.
- Over medium heat, cook sausage in a large skillet, making sure to break sausage into small pieces.
- While sausage is cooking, in a small saucepan over medium low heat, combine pizza sauce, diced tomatoes and basil. Cook until sauce is heated.
- Once sausage is cooked, place meat on a layer of paper towels to drain. Wipe skillet clean and heat olive oil over medium heat. Once oil is hot add in mushrooms and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Sauté until browned, softened and excess water removed.
- Place the sausage in the casserole dish, making sure it is spread evenly. Next top sausage with mushrooms. Add sauce, spreading evenly on top. Sprinkle cheese on top of sauce and then layer on the pepperoni.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
