If you love meat-loaded pizza, this Loaded Meat Lover’s Pizza Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Packed with savory meats, gooey cheese, and pizza sauce, all layered over pasta or a crispy crust, this hearty casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd or making ahead for busy weeknights. It combines all the flavors of a pizza in one delicious, cheesy bake!
Ingredients:
For the Casserole Base:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (plus extra for topping)
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar pizza sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (penne or rotini works great) or 2 cans refrigerated pizza dough if you prefer a dough base
- 1/2 cup black olives (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Garnish:
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Red pepper flakes (optional)