Cheesy Low-Carb Pizza Casserole

🧀 Cheesy Low-Carb Pizza Casserole

⏱️ Time

• Prep: 10–15 minutes

• Cook: 25–30 minutes

• Serves: 4–6

🛒 Ingredients

Base

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix)

• 1 tbsp olive oil (if meat is lean)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup low-carb pizza sauce or sugar-free marinara

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

Toppings (customize like pizza!)

• 1 cup sliced pepperoni

• ½ cup mushrooms, sliced

• ½ cup green bell pepper, diced

• ¼ cup red onion, diced

• ½ cup black olives, sliced

Cheese Layer (the star ⭐)

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella

• ½ cup shredded cheddar or provolone

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan

🔥 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a casserole dish.

2. Cook the meat
   Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil if needed, then brown the ground beef or sausage. Break it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat.

3. Build the flavor
   Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3–5 minutes.

4. Assemble
   Spread the meat mixture evenly in the casserole dish.
   Layer on pepperoni and veggie toppings.
   Sprinkle mozzarella, cheddar/provolone, and Parmesan evenly over the top.

5. Bake
   Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

6. Rest & serve
   Let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing. (Hard, but worth it.)

💡 Tips & Variations

• Extra cheesy: Add dollops of ricotta under the mozzarella.

• Keto-friendly: Check that your sauce is under 3–4g net carbs per serving.

• Chicken pizza casserole: Swap beef for shredded rotisserie chicken.

• Crispy top: Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end (watch closely!).

📊 Approx. Nutrition (per serving, varies by toppings)

• Carbs: ~5–7g net

• Protein: ~25–30g

• Fat: ~30g