So you’re craving pizza but… carbs. They just don’t always fit the plan, right? If you’re searching for an Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole Recipe that actually tastes like, well, PIZZA and not like sad diet food, you’re totally in the right spot. I know how annoying it feels when you want comfort food but still want to fit in your jeans (speaking from experience—pizza parties nearly ruined mine last year). Ready for a quick fix that doesn’t derail your eating goals? Yep, me too. Let’s dive in.
What ingredients do you need for this recipe?
Honestly, you don’t have to be a fancy chef for this one. The Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole Recipe has basic stuff you probably already have (or can grab in one grocery store run).
- Ground beef or Italian sausage (honestly, whatever’s on sale works)
- Marinara sauce (pick a low sugar one, really makes a difference!)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (can’t skip the cheesy magic)
- Pepperoni slices (or whatever topping you love)
- Onion, diced (optional, but tasty)
- Bell pepper, chopped (again, don’t stress if you forget)
- Italian seasoning & garlic powder
- Salt & pepper
If you wanna be extra, toss some mushrooms or olives in. There’s no rule book (at least not at my house).
How to Make Low-Carb Pizza Casserole:
First thing, preheat your oven to 375°F. Don’t skip that. Cold ovens = sad casseroles.
- Brown your ground beef or sausage in a skillet. Drain any grease—nobody wants that in their casserole.
- Toss in chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté for about two minutes, but don’t overthink it.
- Mix in that marinara sauce, seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let it bubble for a quick minute.
- Pour all that goodness into a baking dish. Sprinkle a thick mountain of mozzarella on top.
- Layer your pepperoni and any extra toppings you’re brave enough to add.
- Bake for 20 minutes (until it’s bubbly and golden around the edges).
It smells like a five-star Italian restaurant in there, promise.
“I’m not kidding, my picky teenage son had seconds—and he claims he doesn’t even LIKE ‘diet food.’ This recipe’s magic.”
Can you use other toppings for this low-carb Pizza Casserole?
Absolutely, yes. Who wants the same pizza every time? I say, if your fridge is a graveyard of almost-empty veggie bags and leftover meats—throw them in. Turkey pepperoni? Go wild. Jalapeños for a little fire? YES. I even used leftover rotisserie chicken once (pretty proud of that one). Swapping cheeses works too (provolone, cheddar, wow). The whole point is, you get the pizza flavor without the dough carb bomb. That’s the beauty here. Flexibility!
Benefits of a Crustless Pizza
Now, a lot of folks ask, “Why ditch the crust?” Here’s the scoop. No crust means way fewer carbs—so you can skip that post-pizza bloat and sleepy feeling. Plus, you won’t believe how quickly it comes together. Toss, bake, eat—done. Feeling lighter is a BIG plus. And if you’re keto or trying to avoid gluten, this is like a cheat code. Most important, you still get melted cheese and saucy goodness, just minus the bread belly ache.
Recipes to Enjoy This With
Let’s not pretend pizza casserole is the only thing you’ll want for dinner. Here are my favorite things to put on the table with it:
- A quick green salad (my go-to is arugula with a hit of lemon)
- Roasted broccoli or zucchini (to trick myself into eating more veggies)
- Cauliflower breadsticks (found a super easy recipe the other day—will share soon)
- A glass of diet soda or a sassy kombucha
Honestly, pizza night at home can taste just as fun as the neighborhood joint, especially when you can eat this easy low carb pizza casserole recipe and not feel guilty about it later.
Common Questions
Can I make it ahead?
Yes—assemble everything and pop it in the fridge. Just bake when you’re ready. Might need an extra five minutes in the oven.
Does it freeze well?
Totally! Cover tightly, freeze, and just add a little more bake time straight from the freezer.
What’s the best beef or sausage to use?
Lean works well (less grease pooling up), but if you love rich flavor, go all out with higher fat. Your call, chef.
Can I add more veggies?
Of course. Eggplant, spinach, whatever you have. Just chop it small so it cooks evenly.
Is this kid-friendly?
Look, if my stubborn nephew eats it, anyone will. Extra cheese hides all those veggies.
Ready for a Better Pizza Night?
I hope this post gives you everything you need to nail the Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole Recipe—and honestly, don’t be afraid to make it your own. The best part is customizing your toppings, and knowing you’re doing better than the usual deep dish disaster. If you want more twists, I found Low Carb Pizza Casserole – Home. Made. Interest. super helpful, and you can even check out Low-Carb Deconstructed Pizza Casserole – Kalyn’s Kitchen for more ways to keep pizza night fresh. You got this—go on, eat your pizza and love it too!
Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef or Italian sausage Use whatever is on sale.
- 1 cup Marinara sauce Pick a low sugar version.
- 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese Essential for that cheesy flavor.
- 1 cup Pepperoni slices Or substitute with any favorite toppings.
- 1 Onion, diced Optional but recommended.
- 1 Bell pepper, chopped Add if desired, not mandatory.
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
Optional Ingredients
- Mushrooms Add if you want to be extra.
- Olives Add for extra flavor.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Brown the ground beef or sausage in a skillet. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté for about two minutes.
- Mix in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let it bubble for a minute.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
- Layer the pepperoni and any extra toppings on top of the cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden around the edges.
