A low-carb, cheesy, meaty casserole that tastes like pizza without the crust. Loaded with pepperoni, beef, sauce, and melted cheese—perfect for keto meal prep or family dinners.
Serves
6
Ingredients
Meat Base
- 500 g ground beef (or minced chicken/turkey)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
Pizza Sauce Layer
- 250–300 ml sugar-free marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
Cheese & Toppings
- 250 g shredded mozzarella
- 100 g cheddar or provolone (optional mix)
- 80–120 g pepperoni slices
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
- ½ cup bell peppers, sliced (optional)
- 2 tbsp black olives, sliced (optional)
Optional Keto Add-Ins
- Cream cheese (100 g) for extra richness
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
1. Preheat oven
Set oven to:
- 190°C (375°F)
Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
2. Cook the meat
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
Add onion and cook:
- 2–3 minutes
Add garlic and cook:
- 30 seconds
Add ground beef and cook until browned.
Season with:
- salt
- pepper
- Italian seasoning
- paprika
Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add sauce
Stir in:
- sugar-free pizza sauce
- oregano
- chili flakes
Simmer:
- 3–5 minutes
Let flavors combine.
4. Assemble casserole
Spread meat mixture evenly in baking dish.
Optional layer (for creaminess):
- dollops of cream cheese on top
Add:
- mozzarella
- cheddar/provolone mix
5. Add pepperoni topping
Arrange pepperoni slices evenly on top.
Add optional toppings:
- mushrooms
- olives
- bell peppers
6. Bake
Bake uncovered for:
- 20–25 minutes
Until:
- cheese is melted and bubbly
- pepperoni edges are slightly crispy
Optional: broil 2–3 minutes for extra browning.
7. Rest & serve
Let sit:
- 5–10 minutes
before slicing to set layers.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- cauliflower rice
- zucchini noodles
- green salad
- roasted broccoli
Storage
Fridge
Keeps:
- 3–4 days
Freezer
Freeze:
- up to 2 months
Reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture.
Tips for Best Results
- Use sugar-free sauce to keep it keto.
- Drain beef well to avoid greasy casserole.
- Add pepperoni halfway through baking for crispier texture.
- Let it rest before cutting so it holds shape.
Variations
Spicy Pizza Casserole
Add:
- jalapeños
- chili flakes
- spicy pepperoni
Supreme Version
Add:
- olives
- mushrooms
- bell peppers
- onions
Chicken Pizza Casserole
Replace beef with shredded chicken.
