Low Carb Pizza Casserole

Yield: 6 Servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Category: Dinner, Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Diet: Keto-Friendly, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Skill Level: Easy

Nutrition Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 485

• Total Fat: 35g

• Saturated Fat: 15g

• Total Carbohydrates: 9g

• Dietary Fiber: 2g

• Net Carbs: 7g

• Protein: 32g

• Sodium: 980mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

Ingredients

For the Casserole Base:

• 1 lb (450g) ground Italian sausage (mild or hot)

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85/15 lean/fat)

• 1 small head cauliflower, riced (about 4 cups raw riced cauliflower)

• 1/2 medium onion, finely diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 cup sugar-free pizza sauce or marinara sauce

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Layering & Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups shredded whole-milk, low-moisture mozzarella cheese, divided

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

• 1 cup sliced pepperoni (about 3 oz), divided

• 1/2 cup sliced black olives

• 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

• Optional toppings: sliced mushrooms, cooked bacon crumbles, jalapeños

Equipment

• 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish

• Large skillet or frying pan

• Mixing bowls

• Box grater or food processor (for cauliflower rice)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare & Cook the Base

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your 9×13 inch baking dish.

2. Rice the Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into florets and pulse in a food processor until it resembles rice-sized pieces, or use a box grater. No need to cook it first.

3. Brown the Meats: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage and ground beef together, breaking them up with a spoon until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired, leaving about 1 tablespoon for flavor.

4. Sauté Veggies & Season: Add the diced onion and riced cauliflower to the skillet with the meat. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the cauliflower has softened slightly and the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

5. Combine with Sauce: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the pizza sauce until everything is evenly coated.

Step 2: Assemble the Layers

1. First Layer: Transfer the entire meat and cauliflower mixture into the prepared baking dish. Press it down firmly and evenly with a spatula to form your “crust” layer.

2. Cheese Layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese evenly over the meat base.

3. Topping Layer: Scatter half of the pepperoni slices, all of the black olives and diced bell pepper (and any other optional veggies) over the cheese layer.

4. Final Cheese & Topping Layer: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the vegetables. Artfully arrange the remaining pepperoni slices on top.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

1. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes. The casserole should be hot and bubbly around the edges, and the cheese on top should be completely melted and lightly spotted with gold.

2. Optional Broil: For a crispier, more pizza-like top, switch the oven to broil for the final 2-3 minutes. Watch it closely to prevent burning!

Step 4: Rest & Serve

1. Crucial Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to cut into clean portions.

2. Garnish & Serve: For a fresh finish, garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot with a side of crisp green salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette.

Notes & Success Tips

• Make-Ahead Magic: You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate. When ready to bake, you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time since it will be cold from the fridge.

• Ingredient Swaps: Use all ground beef or turkey for a lighter version. For a vegetarian base, use plant-based ground “meat” and increase the volume of riced cauliflower. Any low-carb, sugar-free pasta sauce will work.

• Texture Preference: If you prefer a firmer, less watery base, you can microwave or sauté the riced cauliflower separately and wring it out in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture before adding it to the meat.

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire dish in a 350°F oven until warmed through.

Conclusion:
This Low Carb Pizza Casserole isn’t just a substitute for pizza—it’s a destination dish in its own right. Hearty, cheesy, and endlessly customizable, it proves that eating low-carb doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or fun. With minimal prep and maximum satisfaction, it’s the ultimate solution for a busy weeknight or a relaxed

Hayyat

Hayyat is a talented content writer and digital marketer with expertise in SEO, social media management, and online marketing. She excels at creating impactful, data-driven content to help businesses connect with their target audience and achieve measurable outcomes.