An easy low carb pizza casserole that's just like eating a supreme pizza but without the breading and carbs! Our pizza casserole recipe without pasta combines Italian sausage, pepperoni, olives, low carb veggies, sauce, and cheese into the ultimate crustless pizza. It's a Whole Lotta Yum!
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Low Carb Pizza Casserole Recipe
Guys, let's be real, there's something magical about a good casserole, and this pizza casserole without pasta is no exception. It's an explosion of all those traditional pizza flavors you love – sweet marinara sauce, hearty Italian sausage, fresh bell peppers, and of course, loads of gooey cheese.
This casserole is layered not once, but twice, with these delectable ingredients. The double layering ensures every bite is packed with flavor. Plus, it's a fun little twist that sets this recipe apart from the rest.
You might be thinking, but what about the crust? Don't worry, my friend, this pizza casserole is completely without crust, which makes it a fantastic low carb, keto-friendly dish that doesn’t skimp on the taste.
Why You'll Love This!
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This dish is a lifesaver when you're short on time during the week. You can make it in advance and then bake it later!
- Ultimate Comfort Food: I mean, it's a loaded pizza with no crust. Just straight topping goodness!
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is super easy, perfect for weeknight dinners, and simple to customize with your favorite pizza toppings.
- No pasta!: Most pizza casserole recipes include pasta, we made ours without for our readers who want to reduce their carbs, are GF, or are eating keto.
Ingredient notes
- Italian sausage: you can also use ground beef or chicken Italian sausage if you prefer a lighter flavor.
- Garlic cloves: these add a punch of flavor; feel free to use garlic powder if you don't have fresh.
- Red onion: try swapping for white onion or yellow onions.
- Green and red bell peppers: you can experiment with different colored peppers like orange or yellow. We also like to use the colored mini bell peppers sliced into rings.
- Button mushrooms: switch these out for your favorite mushroom variety, such as baby Bella's or portobello.
- Marinara sauce: we love Rao's, but use any low-sugar, keto-friendly option you prefer. You can also use pizza sauce here.
- Cheeses: mix and match your favorite melty cheeses. A blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan is our go-to for this recipe. We always recommend shredding your cheese from a block of cheese since pre-packaged cheese is coated in starch which sneaks in carbs and means your cheese doesn't melt as well.
Variations
- Without meat: you can make a vegetarian version by replacing the sausage with additional veggies or a plant-based meat substitute.
- With extra veggies: add in other pizza favorites like tomatoes, spinach, or artichokes. You can also sneak in 1 lb cooked cauliflower rice to add even more vegetables.
- With different cheese: feel free to experiment with other cheeses like provolone, feta, or even some ricotta for a creamy touch.
- Spice it up: add a little heat with some crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapenos.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9x13 pan
How to Make Pizza Casserole (Keto)
Cooking this pizza casserole is super simple! You saute the sausage and veggies, layer the toppings in the pan and then bake.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425 F and grease your pan.
Step 2: Brown your sausage and set it aside.
Step 3: In the same pan, saute your veggies until tender.
Step 4: Assemble your casserole in layers and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Step 5: Let it rest before serving and enjoy!
** These are a summary of the pizza casserole recipe steps, it's not the complete recipe and instructions. Please go to the bottom of the post to the recipe card to get the full recipe ingredients and steps! 🙂
Recipe Tips
- Shredding your own cheese is recommended, it melts better and is lower in carbs.
- This is an easy recipe to customize and make like your favorite pizza!
- Feel free to skip any of the vegetables or cut back on certain ones to reduce the carbs. To sneak in even more vegetables, mix in 1 lb of sauteed or microwaved cauliflower rice.
- We recommend Rao's brand marinara sauce since it tastes homemade and it doesn't add sugar. For the lowest price, stock up at Costco or get it from Walmart, it's often 30% cheaper than a traditional grocery store. Feel free to substitute whatever your favorite brand of sauce is or use pizza sauce instead.
Storing and Reheating
Storing: This pizza casserole can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing: You can also freeze this casserole. Just be sure to cool it completely before wrapping it in foil and freezing. It can be frozen for up to 2 months.
How do you reheat pizza casserole?: To reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight if frozen, then bake at 350 F until heated through.
What to do with Leftovers?
- Top a salad: Add it to a bed of lettuce for some extra flavor and protein. Pizza salad anyone?
- Stuffed peppers: Use it as a stuffing for bell peppers or zucchini.
- Pizza omelet: Mix it with eggs for a pizza-inspired omelet.
FAQ's
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it up to a day in advance. Just pop it in the oven when you're ready to cook. If you're cooking it after making it in advance, it'll take longer to cook.
Is this keto-friendly?
Absolutely! This pizza casserole recipe is low in carbs and high in protein, making it a great option for a keto diet. Feel free to cut out any ingredient such as onion or bell peppers to reduce the carbs even more.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, pizza casserole freezes well. Just be sure to allow it to cool completely before freezing to maintain the best texture and flavor upon reheating.
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Keto Pizza Casserole Recipe
An easy low carb pizza casserole recipe that's just like eating a supreme pizza but without the breading and carbs! Our pizza casserole without pasta combines Italian sausage, pepperoni, olives, low carb veggies, sauce, and cheese into the ultimate crustless pizza!
Ingredients
- 2 lb Italian sausage (swap 1 lb for ground beef or chicken Italian sausage if preferred)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ large red onion, chopped
- 1 cup green pepper, chopped
- 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 8 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 5 oz pepperoni
- 2 cups marinara sauce (Rao's recommended)
- 4 ounces black olives, sliced
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 F. Grease a 9x13 pan and set it aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage until cooked through. Set it aside, leaving the grease in the pan (add olive oil if more grease is needed) to cook the veggies.
- In the same skillet, saute the garlic, sliced onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and Italian seasoning until the veggies are tender.
- You're going to take half of the ingredients and layer them into the 9x13 pan and then repeat the layers with the other half of the ingredients. We made two layers in this order: ½ the ground sausage, ½ of the cooked veggies, 1 cup of marinara sauce, ½ the cheese, ½ the pepperoni, and 1 /2 of the black olives. Repeat these steps.
- Bake the pizza casserole for 15-20 minutes. Broil for 1-2 minutes if you want the cheese to be more golden in color. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and more parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Shredding your own cheese is recommended, it melts better and is lower in carbs.
- This is an easy recipe to customize and make like your favorite pizza! Feel free to skip any of the vegetables or cut back on certain ones to reduce the carbs.
- To sneak in even more vegetables, mix in 1 lb sauteed or microwaved cauliflower rice.
- We recommend Rao's brand marinara sauce since it tastes homemade and it doesn't add sugar. For the lowest price, stock up at Costco or get it from Walmart, it's often 30% cheaper than a traditional grocery store. Feel free to substitute whatever your favorite brand of sauce is or use pizza sauce instead.
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