A hearty, low-crust pizza casserole inspired by the photo, with seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, bell peppers, olives, and plenty of melted mozzarella.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30–35 minutes
Total: 45–50 minutes
Servings: 6
 Ingredients
Casserole
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1½ cups pizza or marinara sauce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes, drained
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
Optional pizza toppings
- Pepperoni
- Mushrooms
- Jalapeños
- Extra mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Fresh basil or parsley
 Full Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add diced onion and green pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef. Break it apart and cook for 6–8 minutes, until completely browned.
- Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Season with Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Stir in the pizza sauce and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 3–5 minutes.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a 9-inch deep pie dish or casserole dish.
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and cheddar over the beef.
- Add black olives and any additional toppings.
- Cover with the remaining mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling.
- For the browned top shown in the photo, switch to broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
- Rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
 Food Safety
Cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Use a food thermometer for the most reliable check.
Nutrition
Approximate per serving, based on 6 servings:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~430 kcal |
| Protein | ~30 g |
| Total fat | ~27 g |
| Saturated fat | ~12 g |
| Carbohydrates | ~18 g |
| Fiber | ~3 g |
| Total sugars | ~7 g |
| Sodium | ~900 mg |
| Cholesterol | ~85 mg |
| Calcium | ~300 mg |
| Iron | ~4 mg |
| Potassium | ~600 mg |
Nutrition will vary depending on the ground beef fat percentage, cheese, sauce, and toppings used.
 Allergens
- Milk/dairy: mozzarella and cheddar
- Wheat/gluten: only if your pizza sauce, toppings, or any added crust/base contains gluten
- Soy: check packaged cheese, sauce, or processed toppings
- Nuts: none in the basic recipe
 Best Tips
- Use 80–90% lean beef for a flavorful but not excessively greasy casserole.
- Drain the beef well before adding sauce.
- Don’t add too much sauce or the casserole can become watery.
- Broiling for the final 1–2 minutes creates the golden, bubbly cheese seen in the image.
- Let it rest before cutting so the layers stay together.
- For a lower-carb version, use extra vegetables and skip any bread/crust base.
- For a true pizza-style version, add pepperoni and mushrooms before the final cheese layer.
Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.
With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.
With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.
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