Low carb pizza casserole is one of those dinners that saves the day when you are craving pizza but want to keep things simple and lighter. In our little seaside kitchen here in Carmel, this dish shows up on busy weeknights when everyone is hungry and patience is thin. It has all the cozy flavors of pizza, just without the crust. It is warm, cheesy, and bubbling in the pan, and it always brings my family running to the table.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- All the pizza flavor you love, without the heavy crust.
- Quick enough for a busy weeknight dinner.
- Simple ingredients you probably already have.
- Easy to adjust for different tastes and diets.
If you love hearty bakes like my dump and bake meatball casserole or something bold like this spicy hobo casserole, you will feel right at home with this one too.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Ground beef or Italian sausage, this gives the casserole that classic pizza flavor and hearty bite.
- Marinara or pizza sauce, choose one with no added sugar to keep it low carb.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese, this melts into that gooey, stretchy topping we all love.
- Pepperoni slices, for that true No Crust Pizza Casserole taste.
- Bell peppers and onions, these add color and a little sweetness.
- Italian seasoning, just a sprinkle makes it taste like your favorite Low Carb Pizza Bake.
- Olive oil, for cooking the veggies and meat.
Step by Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage until browned. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any extra grease.
- Add chopped onions and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes so the flavors blend together.
- Pour the meat mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle a thick layer of mozzarella cheese over the top. Add pepperoni slices evenly across the cheese.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Helpful Tips and Variations
- For a Cauliflower Pizza Casserole twist, stir in a cup of steamed cauliflower rice with the meat mixture.
- This works beautifully as a Crustless Pizza Casserole for keto nights or when you are following Adkins Recipes Easy style meals.
- You can swap beef for ground turkey to lighten it up even more.
- Add mushrooms, olives, or spinach for a fun Deconstructed Pizza feel.
- If you are looking for a Pizza Casserole Without Pasta that still feels filling, serve it over zucchini noodles.
If you enjoy comfort bakes, you might also like my cozy lamb pastelon Puerto Rican style plantain casserole or this classic tuna casserole pasta recipe for nights when carbs are welcome at the table.
Serving and Storage
Serve this low carb pizza casserole hot from the oven with a simple green salad on the side. A sprinkle of fresh basil on top makes it feel extra special. If you have 20 minutes, you can have this on the table and everyone will think you worked all afternoon.
Low Carb Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
- Add chopped onions and bell peppers to the skillet and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Transfer the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and arrange pepperoni slices over the cheese.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or warm it in the oven at 350 degrees until heated through. It also freezes well for up to 2 months, just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
Is this a true No Carb Pizza Casserole?
This is very low in carbs, but not completely zero. The sauce and vegetables have a small amount of natural carbs. If you want it even lower, choose a sugar free sauce and limit higher carb toppings. It still fits beautifully into most low carb and keto plans and feels like a real pizza treat.
Can I make this Weight Watchers Pizza Casserole friendly?
Yes, you can. Use lean ground turkey, reduced fat cheese, and turkey pepperoni. Measure your cheese carefully to stay within your points. Pair it with a big salad to make the meal more filling. It is all about balance and smart swaps.
How is this different from a Cauliflower Pizza Casserole?
A cauliflower version usually uses cauliflower as a base layer. This recipe skips that and focuses on meat and cheese, making it more like a classic low carb pizza bake. If you enjoy cauliflower, you can easily add it in as mentioned above.
Can I prepare this Deconstructed Pizza ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can cook the meat and sauce mixture earlier in the day and store it in the fridge. When you are ready, spread it in the dish, top with cheese and pepperoni, and bake. It is a great make ahead dinner for busy evenings.
Final Thoughts from Ama
Some nights call for simple food that feels like a little reward at the end of a long day. This low carb pizza casserole is just that. It is cozy, easy, and full of flavor. Even if the cheese bubbles over or the edges get a little crispy, it will still taste wonderful. Around here, we believe dinner does not have to be perfect to be special. Just gather your people and enjoy every bite.