Description
This Pizza Casserole is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines lean ground beef, cauliflower rice, pepperoni, and melted mozzarella cheese all baked together in a savory marinara sauce. It’s a lighter twist on classic pizza flavors, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup pepperoni slices (turkey pepperoni recommended for a lighter version)
- 2 cups cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (reserve half for topping)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (choose a low-sugar variety)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
- Drain Fat and Add Seasonings: Drain any excess fat from the beef to keep the dish lean. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to infuse the beef with rich Italian flavors.
- Add Cauliflower Rice and Cheese: Mix in the cauliflower rice and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, combining everything thoroughly to create a hearty filling.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the mixture evenly in a baking dish, then top it with the remaining mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices, preparing it for baking.
- Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes after baking to let it set before serving. Enjoy your delicious pizza casserole warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use lean ground beef and turkey pepperoni to reduce fat content.
- You can use fresh or frozen cauliflower rice depending on availability and convenience.
- Choose a low-sugar marinara sauce to keep the dish healthier.
- Feel free to adjust Italian seasoning and black pepper according to your taste preferences.
- This casserole can be reheated well, making it great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: pizza casserole, cauliflower rice casserole, ground beef casserole, baked casserole, Italian casserole, low sugar casserole
