Irresistible Ground Beef Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe

Why You’ll Love this Ground Beef Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

If you’re a pizza lover who craves that classic flavor but wants something a bit more substantial, this Ground Beef Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is about to become your new favorite dish. I’m obsessed with how it combines all the best pizza toppings—savory ground beef, spicy pepperoni, mushrooms, and bell peppers—into one hearty, family-friendly meal.

What makes it truly special? That cheesy, golden brown top layer that forms as it bakes. Plus, it’s perfect for meal prep—you can assemble it ahead of time and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready. No pizza delivery fees required.

What Ingredients are in Ground Beef Pepperoni Pizza Casserole?

This crowd-pleasing casserole transforms everything you love about pizza into a hearty, satisfying dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or weekend family gatherings. The ingredient list might look long at first glance, but don’t let that intimidate you—most are pantry staples that come together to create layers of rich, pizza-inspired flavors. And the best part? You can customize it based on what you already have on hand.

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (plus another 1/2 cup for topping)
• Seasoning salt (or regular table salt)
• Black pepper
• 2 cups pizza sauce
• 1/4 pound pepperoni, chopped
• 1/2-1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
• 1 cup canned mushrooms, drained
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 3 cups grated mozzarella cheese
• 8 slices cooked bacon, chopped

Feel free to adapt this recipe to suit your family’s preferences or what’s in your refrigerator. Not a fan of mushrooms? Skip them or substitute with olives. Want it spicier? Add some red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef. The batter that gets poured over the top creates a unique crust-like layer that sets this casserole apart from your typical pasta-based pizza bakes, giving you that pizza satisfaction without any dough-making hassle.

How to Make this Ground Beef Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

Making this pizza-inspired casserole is simpler than it looks, and the results are absolutely worth the effort. Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees and greasing a 13 x 9-inch baking dish—this gives you plenty of room for all those delicious layers to come.

In a large skillet, brown 1 pound of ground beef along with the chopped onion, 2 tablespoons of garlic, and green bell pepper until the meat is no longer pink. This flavor base is what gives the casserole its hearty character.

After draining the fat (nobody wants a greasy casserole, right?), stir in 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, then add your 2 cups of pizza sauce, chopped pepperoni, Italian herb seasoning, and 1 cup of drained canned mushrooms. Let this mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to let those flavors meld together.

Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of oil, and 2 eggs, beating them with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to create the batter that will form the unique top layer of your casserole.

Now comes the fun part—assembly! Spoon your savory ground beef mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer. Sprinkle 3 cups of mozzarella cheese over the top, followed by the chopped bacon pieces.

Pour the prepared batter over everything, making sure to spread it evenly to cover the entire surface. Finish with a sprinkle of the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. You can bake it immediately for 20-25 minutes until golden brown, or cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook.

When it emerges from the oven with its golden crust and bubbling cheese, you’ll understand why this casserole has earned its reputation as a family favorite.

Ground Beef Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Substitutions and Variations

While the classic version of this casserole is absolutely delicious, you can easily customize it to suit your family’s preferences or whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand.

Try ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of beef for a different flavor profile. Not a fan of pepperoni? Swap in ham, bacon bits, or go meatless with extra veggies.

I sometimes use cheddar when I’m out of mozzarella, or mix in pepper jack for a spicy kick. No green peppers? Red ones work beautifully.

And mushroom haters in your house? Simply leave them out or replace with olives.

What to Serve with Ground Beef Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

Since this hearty Ground Beef Pepperoni Pizza Casserole delivers all the comforting flavors of pizza in casserole form, I like to balance it with lighter side dishes that complement rather than compete with its rich flavors.

A simple green salad with vinaigrette dressing cuts through the richness perfectly. Garlic bread, while admittedly indulgent, is my guilty pleasure alongside this dish. Can you ever have too many carbs? Maybe, but I’ll risk it.

For vegetables, roasted broccoli or sautéed zucchini work wonderfully. During summer months, I serve it with fresh sliced tomatoes sprinkled with basil and a touch of balsamic.

Final Thoughts

After preparing this Ground Beef Pepperoni Pizza Casserole countless times, I’ve come to believe it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

The combination of savory ground beef, spicy pepperoni, and that golden, cheesy crust creates magic in every bite.

What I love most about this recipe is its versatility. Forgot the mushrooms? No problem. Want extra cheese? Go for it. The casserole adapts to your pantry and preferences.

Trust me, once you serve this dish, you’ll find yourself making it again and again.

Comfort food doesn’t get better than this.

Ground Beef Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

This hearty pizza-inspired casserole combines savory ground beef, spicy pepperoni, and fresh vegetables under a golden cheesy crust. Perfect for busy weeknights, this family-friendly meal delivers all the classic pizza flavors in a satisfying, easy-to-prepare dish.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 8 people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 485

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning up to 1 teaspoon, to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 green bell pepper chopped
• 1 cup flour
• 8 slices bacon cooked and chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 cup canned mushrooms drained
• 2 tablespoons garlic chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups pizza sauce
• 1 large onion chopped
• 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese plus another 1/2 cup for topping
• 3 cups mozzarella cheese grated
• 1/4 pound pepperoni chopped
• Seasoning salt or regular table salt, to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 2 eggs

Equipment

• 13×9-inch baking dish
• Large skillet
• Mixing bowl

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 13×9-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion, garlic, and green bell pepper until the meat is no longer pink.
3. Drain excess fat from the skillet, then stir in 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese.
4. Add the pizza sauce, chopped pepperoni, Italian herb seasoning, and mushrooms to the beef mixture. Season with seasoning salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow flavors to combine.
6. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, combine milk, oil, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.
7. Add flour, salt, and cayenne pepper to the milk mixture to create a batter.
8. Spoon the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer.
9. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the beef layer, followed by the chopped bacon pieces.
10. Pour the prepared batter over everything, making sure to spread it evenly to cover the entire surface.
11. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
12. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.

Notes

This casserole is extremely versatile – feel free to customize with your favorite pizza toppings. Try using ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of beef, or add olives, different colored bell peppers, or extra cheese varieties.

For meal prep, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven.