Craving the savory, cheesy goodness of pizza without the carbs? You’ve come to the right place. This Low Carb Pizza Casserole recipe delivers all the classic flavors you love in a simple, satisfying, and keto-friendly dish. It’s the perfect solution for a quick weeknight dinner that the whole family will devour.
This easy recipe transforms simple ingredients into a rich, meaty, and bubbling crustless pizza bake that feels like pure comfort food. Forget cauliflower crusts and complicated alternatives; this is pizza flavor made easy.
Why You’ll Love This Keto Pizza Casserole
This isn’t just another low-carb recipe; it’s a game-changer for your dinner rotation. Here’s why you’ll be making it again and again:
- Incredibly Easy: With simple steps and minimal prep, this dish comes together in no time.
- Satisfies Cravings: It’s packed with rich meat, savory sauce, and gooey cheese to crush those pizza cravings.
- Fully Customizable: Add your favorite low-carb pizza toppings to make it your own.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: It reheats beautifully, making it an ideal choice for make-ahead lunches or dinners.
The Key Ingredients
The magic of this casserole lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
The Meaty Base
We use lean ground beef as the foundation. You can also substitute it with ground Italian sausage for an extra layer of flavor, or even ground turkey for a leaner option.
The Creamy, Cheesy Binder
A mix of softened cream cheese, low-sugar marinara sauce, and Italian seasonings creates a rich, creamy base that holds everything together. This is the secret to a perfect crustless pizza casserole.
The Pizza Toppings
We’re keeping it classic with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Feel free to get creative with other low-carb favorites like sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or black olives.
How to Make Low Carb Pizza Casserole Step-by-Step
Making this incredible Low Carb Pizza Casserole is as easy as browning, mixing, and baking. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
- Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s browned. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once cooked, drain the excess grease thoroughly. This step is crucial to prevent a watery casserole.
- Create the Base: Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese, ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and all ingredients are well combined into a creamy sauce.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the meat and sauce mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese over the top. Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden. For a crispier top, you can broil it for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch it closely to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set, making it easier to slice and serve.
Expert Tips for the Best Pizza Casserole
Want to take your keto pizza bake to the next level? Follow these pro tips.
- Drain, Drain, Drain: The most important tip is to drain the grease from your ground beef completely. Any excess liquid can make the final dish watery.
- Choose Your Sauce Wisely: Not all marinara sauces are low-carb. Check the label and choose one with no added sugars to keep it keto-friendly.
- Get Creative with Meats: A combination of ground beef and Italian sausage adds incredible depth of flavor.
- For a Crispy Top: Don’t skip the broil! A minute or two under the broiler gives the cheese and pepperoni those delicious crispy edges.
For another fantastic weeknight meal, try our delicious Chicken Fajita Casserole. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Fun and Delicious Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Supreme Pizza Casserole
Add sautéed mushrooms, diced green bell peppers, and sliced black olives along with the pepperoni for a supreme pizza experience.
Meat Lover’s Delight
Combine cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, and chopped bacon for the ultimate meaty casserole.
Veggie-Packed Casserole
Looking for more vegetables? Our Low Carb Zucchini Enchiladas (coming soon) are another great way to enjoy a cheesy, satisfying bake.
You could also add sautéed onions, spinach, or even cauliflower rice to the base of this pizza casserole for a hidden veggie boost.
Storing and Reheating Your Casserole
This casserole is perfect for leftovers. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or a toaster oven until warmed through. You can also freeze the entire casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven.
If you’re looking for other healthy and delicious dinner ideas, this Honey Mustard Salmon recipe is a must-try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven straight from the fridge.
The key is to drain the fat from the cooked ground beef as thoroughly as possible. Any excess liquid in the meat will be released during baking. Using a thick, high-quality marinara sauce also helps.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.
Yes, this casserole freezes very well. Bake as directed, allow it to cool completely, then cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Ground Italian sausage is a fantastic and flavorful substitute. You can also use ground turkey, ground chicken, or a combination of meats for a different flavor profile.
The Ultimate Low Carb Pizza Casserole Recipe
Low Carb Pizza Casserole (Easy, Keto-Friendly Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain the excess grease thoroughly.
- Reduce heat to low. Add softened cream cheese, ½ cup mozzarella, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Spread the meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with the remaining 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese and arrange the pepperoni slices on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Optional: Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for a crispier top.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Tip 2: Use a low-sugar marinara sauce (check the label) to keep the recipe keto-friendly.
Tip 3: Feel free to add other low-carb toppings like mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers.
Share Your Creation!
I hope you love this Low Carb Pizza Casserole as much as I do! It’s a true staple in my kitchen for a reason. If you try it, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below or share a photo of your masterpiece on Pinterest and tag me!
