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