Are you tired of missing out on pizza while trying to maintain a low-carb lifestyle? Get ready to revolutionize your dinner game with the most mouth-watering, guilt-free pizza casserole that will make your taste buds dance and your diet stay on track! This Low Carb Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is about to become your new obsession - delivering all the classic pizza flavors you love without the carb-heavy crust, proving that healthy eating can be absolutely delicious and totally satisfying.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Break the meat into small crumbles as it cooks, ensuring it's evenly cooked and no pink remains.
- Drain any excess fat from the ground beef to keep the casserole from becoming too greasy.
- Season the cooked ground beef with Italian seasoning and salt, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Transfer the seasoned ground beef to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer across the bottom.
- Pour the pizza sauce over the ground beef, spreading it to cover the meat completely.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pizza sauce layer.
- Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly across the cheese layer, covering the entire surface.
- Top the pepperoni with the remaining mozzarella cheese, creating a complete cheese coverage.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly with slightly crispy edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set and make cutting easier.
- Slice into 6 equal portions and serve hot. Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley for added flavor and presentation.
Tips
- Drain Ground Beef Thoroughly: Remove as much fat as possible to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor.
- Cheese is Key: Use high-quality, freshly shredded mozzarella for the best melting and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect texture.
- Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to add extra low-carb pizza toppings like sliced olives, diced bell peppers, or even some crispy bacon bits for more flavor complexity.
- Temperature Matters: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set and make serving easier.
- Make it Ahead: This casserole can be prepared in advance and refrigerated before baking. Just add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.
- Garnish for Glamour: A sprinkle of fresh herbs like basil or parsley can elevate the presentation and add a fresh flavor dimension.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 95mg
