Puffed-Up Pizza Casserole
A savory casserole with seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and melted cheese, perfect for family dinners and comfort food lovers seeking hearty, flavorful dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb ground beef ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 cup water ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed ⓘ
- several dashes bottled hot pepper sauce ⓘ
- 1 cup milk ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil ⓘ
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1 (1 1/2 oz) package spaghetti sauce mix ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 8 oz shredded Mozzarella ⓘ
Instructions
- In a 12-inch skillet, cook the ground beef until brown.
- Drain off the fat and discard it.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, chopped onion, chopped green pepper, water, spaghetti sauce mix, oregano, minced garlic, and bottled hot pepper sauce.
- Bring to boiling.
- Reduce heat and simmer the mixture, covered, for 10 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a healthier twist, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef. You can also use whole wheat flour instead of regular flour for the batter. If you prefer a spicier kick, add more hot pepper sauce or some red pepper flakes. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can enhance the flavor. If you're short on time, consider using a pre-made pizza sauce instead of making your own with tomato sauce and spices.
Serving Suggestions
This Puffed-Up Pizza Casserole pairs beautifully with a fresh garden salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. You can top it with fresh basil or additional cheese before serving for added flavor. For a fun twist, serve it alongside some homemade burger patties or a hearty Swiss Steak Stew to please a crowd.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place a portion in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. You can also freeze the casserole before baking; just thaw it overnight in the fridge before cooking.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Puffed-Up Pizza Casserole contains roughly 1759 calories, with 43g protein, 212g carbohydrates, and 101g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (273% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1316mg per serving (57% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! While Mozzarella adds that classic pizza flavor, feel free to mix in other cheeses like Cheddar or Provolone for a unique taste. Just ensure that the total amount of cheese remains around 8 ounces to maintain the casserole's texture.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! This recipe can be prepared up to a day in advance. Simply assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time to ensure it heats through completely. This makes it a great do ahead casserole option for busy weeknights.
What vegetables can I add to the casserole?
You can customize this casserole with your favorite vegetables. Consider adding mushrooms, zucchini, or black olives for extra flavor and nutrition. Just be sure to sauté harder vegetables like carrots or celery beforehand to ensure they cook through during baking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).