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cheesy beef pepperoni casserole

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
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
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

  • 13x9-inch baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 13x9-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.