Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

Featured in Hearty Main Courses.

This hearty meat lovers casserole combines ground beef, Italian sausage, bacon, and pepperoni with pasta, pizza sauce, herbs, and three types of cheese for the ultimate comfort dish. Layers of pasta and rich meat sauce are baked to perfection under a golden, bubbly cheese topping. Serve hot, and garnish with fresh basil for an extra touch of flavor. Customize with your favorite meats or add veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers for additional texture and variety. Ideal for family dinners or gatherings!

Ranah
Updated on Mon, 19 May 2025 18:31:45 GMT
A plate of food with a pizza on top. Pin it
A plate of food with a pizza on top. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

This hearty pizza casserole transforms all the flavors you love from a meat lovers pizza into a comforting pasta dish that satisfies the entire family. It combines the convenience of pasta with the indulgent toppings everyone fights over on a delivery pizza, creating something even better than the sum of its parts.

I created this recipe during a particularly busy sports season when we needed something hearty that could be made ahead and reheated. Now my teenagers actually cheer when they see me browning the meat mixture for this casserole.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: gives this dish its hearty foundation and familiar flavor that reminds you of your favorite pizzeria
  • Italian sausage: adds depth and complexity with its blend of fennel and herbs
  • Pepperoni slices: create those perfect little cups of savory goodness just like on a real pizza
  • Crumbled bacon: brings smokiness and texture that elevates the entire dish
  • Rotini pasta: catches all the sauce in its spirals making every bite perfectly sauced
  • Three cheese blend: creates that stunning cheese pull moment we all crave
  • Pizza sauce: ties everything together with its tangy tomato goodness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pasta Preparation:
Cook the rotini until just barely al dente, about one minute less than package directions. The pasta will continue cooking in the oven, so slightly undercooking it now prevents mushiness later. Drain thoroughly and set aside without rinsing to maintain the starchy exterior that helps sauce adhere.
Meat Mixture Magic:
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage together, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. This should take about 5 minutes until no pink remains. Pour off excess fat but leave about a tablespoon for flavor. Add the diced onions and garlic to the meat, sautéing until the onions become translucent and slightly caramelized at the edges, about 3 minutes. This builds your flavor foundation.
Create the Sauce:
Add your pepperoni and bacon to the skillet, allowing their flavors to meld with the other meats. Pour in the pizza sauce and sprinkle the dried herbs and red pepper flakes. Simmer everything together for 5 to 7 minutes, allowing the flavors to deepen and marry. The sauce should thicken slightly as it reduces.
Assembly and Baking:
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish. Combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce mixture directly in the baking dish, ensuring every piece of pasta gets coated. Spread the mixture evenly, then layer all three cheeses on top, covering the entire surface. The layering of different cheeses creates varying textures and flavors as they melt.
Final Touches:
Cover the casserole with foil, being careful not to let it touch the cheese. Bake covered for 20 minutes to heat everything through, then remove the foil and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese develops those beautiful golden spots and bubbly edges that signal perfection.
A plate of food with a pizza on top. Pin it
A plate of food with a pizza on top. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

The pepperoni is really the star ingredient here in my opinion. As it bakes, it releases its spicy oils into the sauce and creates those perfect little crispy edges everyone loves to find on a great pizza. My daughter actually counts how many pepperoni slices she gets in her portion.

Make-Ahead Magic

This casserole actually improves with time as the flavors meld together. You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours before baking. Simply cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, then remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to take the chill off. You may need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the covered baking time if starting from cold.

Freezer Friendly Features

This dish freezes exceptionally well both before and after baking. To freeze unbaked, assemble in a freezer safe container but do not add the cheese topping. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the cheese topping, and bake as directed, adding about 10 minutes to the covered baking time.

Sneaky Veggie Additions

While purists might object, this casserole makes a perfect vehicle for adding vegetables to your family's diet. Finely chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach can be sautéed with the onions and practically disappear into the sauce. For picky eaters, try grating zucchini or carrots into the meat mixture they cook down until virtually undetectable but add nutrition and moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute rotini with other pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or bowties. Choose one that holds sauces well.

→ Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

→ How do I make it spicier?

Add extra crushed red pepper flakes or sliced jalapeños to the meat mixture for a spicier kick.

→ Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Absolutely! Bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, or even spinach can be added to enhance the flavor and texture.

→ Can this be made vegetarian?

You can replace the meats with plant-based alternatives or load it up with veggies and extra cheese for a vegetarian version.

Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole

Savory, cheesy meat casserole with pasta and pizza-inspired flavors.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
65 Minutes
By: Ranah

Category: Hearty Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Meats

01 450g ground beef
02 225g Italian sausage, casings removed
03 1 cup pepperoni slices
04 225g cooked bacon, crumbled

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

05 1 small onion, diced
06 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce and Seasonings

07 1 (24 oz) jar pizza sauce
08 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 1 teaspoon dried basil
10 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

→ Pasta

11 1 (16 oz) package rotini pasta

→ Cheese

12 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
13 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
14 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

15 Fresh basil, optional

Instructions

Step 01

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 02

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Break up the meat into crumbles as it cooks, and drain any excess fat.

Step 03

Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion softens, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 04

Add the pepperoni slices, crumbled bacon, pizza sauce, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 05

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). In a large casserole dish, layer the cooked pasta and the meat sauce mixture. Stir to combine and spread evenly.

Step 06

Top the casserole with shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.

Step 07

Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 08

Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your hearty Meat Lovers Pizza Casserole.

Notes

  1. If you like, you can add vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or black olives to make the casserole more similar to a classic pizza.
  2. Customize the meats by using bacon, sausage, ground beef, ham, or even grilled chicken.
  3. For added spice, include more crushed red pepper flakes or sliced jalapeños.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Large casserole dish
  • Aluminum foil
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains wheat (pasta).
  • Contains dairy (cheese).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 520
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 38.5 g
  • Protein: 28.5 g