This Keto Pizza Casserole gives you all the flavors of your favorite slice gooey cheese, zesty sauce, and savory toppings without the carb-heavy crust. It’s an easy, family-friendly weeknight dinner that comes together in one pan and bakes up bubbly, golden, and irresistibly cheesy while staying low in carbs and keto-friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes (no sugar added, if possible)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Olive oil or cooking spray for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent.
- Stir in the chopped bell pepper, then add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Transfer the meat and tomato mixture to the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the meat mixture. Arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese, then sprinkle on the grated Parmesan.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes to set slightly, which makes it easier to slice and serve.
- Garnish with fresh basil, if using, then slice into portions and serve warm.
Variation
- Swap the meat: Use all Italian sausage, a mix of beef and sausage, or ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version (add extra oil if very lean).
- Change up the toppings: Add mushrooms, black olives, jalapeños, or extra bell peppers on top before baking to mimic your favorite pizza combo.
- Extra cheesy version: Double the mozzarella and add a layer of ricotta (about 1 cup, dotted on the meat mixture) for a lasagna-meets-pizza vibe.
Cooking Notes
- If your meat releases a lot of fat, drain it well so the casserole isn’t greasy; you still want some moisture for flavor.
- Simmering the sauce for at least 5 minutes helps thicken it and deepen the flavor, but you can go up to 10 minutes if you want it thicker.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking is key—this allows it to set up and slice more neatly, instead of scooping out very loose portions.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a simple green salad dressed with olive oil and vinegar or a creamy ranch for a complete keto meal.
- Pair with roasted or steamed low-carb veggies like broccoli, zucchini, or green beans on the side.
- For heartier appetites, add a side of keto garlic bread or chaffles to scoop up the cheesy casserole.
Tips
- Pre-chop your onion, garlic, and bell pepper so the casserole comes together quickly on busy weeknights.
- If you like a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce or use spicy Italian sausage.
- For easier cleanup, brown the meat in an oven-safe skillet and bake the casserole right in the same pan instead of transferring to a baking dish.
Prep Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 22 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
| Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove from the fridge while the oven preheats and add 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time if it’s still very cold. - Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
| Yes. Bake, cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat, covered, at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. - How can I lower the carbs even more?
| Use the lowest-carb crushed tomatoes you can find, skip or reduce the onion, and focus on very low-carb toppings like extra cheese and meat instead of higher-carb veggies. - Can I make this dairy-free?
| You can experiment with dairy-free shredded cheese and omit the Parmesan, but texture and flavor will change. Ensure your substitutes are low in carbs if you want to keep it keto.
Conclusion
This Keto Pizza Casserole packs classic pizza flavors into a hearty, crustless bake that’s perfect for low-carb lifestyles. It’s weeknight-friendly, endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings, and reheats beautifully for easy leftovers. Keep it in your regular rotation whenever a cheesy, comforting, keto-approved dinner craving hits.
Print
Keto Pizza Casserole
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Keto, Low Carb, Gluten-Free (if all ingredients are certified GF)
Description
This Keto Pizza Casserole gives you all the flavors of your favorite slice gooey cheese, zesty sauce, and savory toppings without the carb-heavy crust. It’s an easy, family-friendly weeknight dinner that comes together in one pan and bakes up bubbly, golden, and irresistibly cheesy while staying low in carbs and keto-friendly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes (no sugar added, if possible)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Olive oil or cooking spray for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent.
- Stir in the chopped bell pepper, then add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Transfer the meat and tomato mixture to the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the meat mixture. Arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese, then sprinkle on the grated Parmesan.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes to set slightly, which makes it easier to slice and serve.
- Garnish with fresh basil, if using, then slice into portions and serve warm.
Notes
- Use the lean-to-fat ratio of ground beef or sausage you prefer; higher fat will be richer and more keto, but also more caloric.
- Choose crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce with no added sugar to keep carbs in check.
- You can assemble the casserole a few hours ahead, refrigerate, then bake just before serving (add 5–10 minutes to the bake time if very cold).
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3–4 days and reheat beautifully in the oven or microwave.
- Adjust the pepperoni amount to taste—more for extra pizza flavor, less for a lighter casserole.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: keto pizza casserole, crustless pizza, low carb pizza bake, keto dinner, one-pan keto meal, easy weeknight casserole