Description
This meatzza casserole is a delicious low-carb, keto-friendly alternative to pizza. With a flavorful ground meat crust, marinara sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings, it’s easy to prepare and perfect for meal prep or a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meat Base:
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef or ground turkey
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Toppings:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20–25 pepperoni slices
- ½ cup sliced green bell peppers
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Meat Base: In a large bowl, mix the ground meat, eggs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Form the Crust: Spread the meat mixture evenly in the greased baking dish, pressing it down to create a solid base.
- Bake the Base: Bake for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked and slightly firm.
- Drain Excess Liquid: Carefully drain any grease or liquid to keep the casserole firm.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread marinara sauce over the baked meat base, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly.
- Layer on Toppings: Arrange pepperoni slices, bell peppers, mushrooms, and olives over the cheese. Add red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Final Bake: Return to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Meat Variations: Mix ground beef and Italian sausage for added richness.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free cheese or omit cheese.
- Vegetarian Alternative: Replace the meat base with roasted eggplant or zucchini slices.
- Spicy Kick: Add chopped jalapeños or cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- Custom Toppings: Try bacon bits, artichoke hearts, or sun-dried tomatoes for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: casserole, dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Keywords: meatzza casserole, keto pizza casserole, low-carb casserole, meat crust pizza, easy baked meatzza