Pizza Casserole

Pizza Casserole is easy, fast, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. The kids will love this dish of warm ciabatta bread topped with marinara sauce, sliced onions, browned mushrooms, salami, black olives, and finished with melty mozzarella cheese. This dish is a warm and comforting 30-minute meal.

Jump to:

• What is Pizza Casserole?
• Ingredients
• Can you make this dish keto?
• How to make this pizza casserole recipe
• Tips for success
• What can other ingredients can I add?
• Can I make this a pizza pasta casserole?
• Can I make this into a pizza casserole crockpot recipe?
• How to store this pizza casserole
• Pizza Casserole

What is Pizza Casserole?

This easy pizza casserole recipe is easy to throw together any night of the week. You can even make it in advance, put it in the fridge until you're ready to eat, and then bake. Dinner doesn't get any simpler!

The best part about this meal is that you can make it exactly how you like your pizza by adding your favorite ingredients. It's completely customizable. You won't be able to resist making it again and again.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsps olive oil: A little oil is necessary in order to saute the vegetables in the pan before adding them to the casserole.
• ½ pound cremini mushrooms: Slice the mushrooms and add them to the pan to brown on both sides.
• 1 medium white onion: Slice the onion and saute to make the flavor richer and milder.
• 14 ounces marinara sauce: You can use a jar of sauce from the store or make it yourself.
• 12 slices salami: Sliced salami or other dried deli meat will work perfectly for this dish.
• 1 loaf ciabatta: Slices of ciabatta bread are layered on the bottom of the dish for a hearty meal.
• 7 ounces sharp mozzarella: This gives a tangier flavor to the casserole.
• 1 ball soft mozzarella: Soft mozzarella is melty and mild.
• 10 black olives: Sliced black olives add a little color and flavor.
• ¼ teaspoon chili flakes: These are optional for a little spice depending on your preference.

Can you make this dish keto?

Yes, you can definitely make this into a keto-friendly version. Instead of using ciabatta rolls on the bottom, you can add more vegetables to make enough to fill the entire casserole dish.

Some ideas would be to add broccoli, spinach, kale, bell peppers, or artichokes.

How to make this pizza casserole recipe

1. Preheat the oven.

2. Layer ciabatta slices on the bottom of the baking pan to cover it completely.

3. Saute the sliced onions for 5 minutes.

4. Then add the cremini mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Cook until the liquid evaporates.

5. Add in the salami.

6. Pour in the marinara sauce. When it heats up, remove it from the heat.

7. Pour the sauce over the ciabatta in the dish.

8. Top the casserole with both kinds of mozzarella, black olives, and some extra salami slices.

9. Bake.

Tips for success

Here are a few tips for success and variations you can try to make this the best pizza casserole you've ever had.

• Be sure to saute the ingredients before adding them to the casserole so you can really bring out those rich flavors.
• Reduce the liquid in the sauce by gently simmering for a few minutes so the dish isn't too liquidy.
• If the top browns too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil until the middle is heated through.

What can other ingredients can I add?

Try adding other ingredients to the casserole dish based on what you have and what you like:

• Italian sausage
• Garlic pizza sauce
• Ground beef
• Red or green bell peppers
• Banana peppers
• Diced or roasted garlic
• Kale
• Parmesan cheese
• Pepperoni slices
• Diced ham
• Diced white onions
• Kalamata olives
• Pineapple pieces

Can I make this a pizza pasta casserole?

Yes! You can make this a pizza pasta casserole by adding penne pasta, farfalle, cavatappi, orecchiette, or another type of small pasta.

You can also use long pasta like spaghetti, bucatini, fettucini, or angel hair.

Can I make this into a pizza casserole crockpot recipe?

It's easy to make this into a crockpot recipe. All you need to do is cook the sauce low and slow for a couple of hours and then add the pasta in at the end (if using).

There are two ways you can add pasta to the casserole this way.

You can add the pasta into the pot dry, stir, and let it cook for 30 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.

Or you can cook the pasta on the stove and then add it to the sauce right before serving the casserole.

How to store this pizza casserole

If you have leftovers, you can save them in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to five days.

You can also freeze any leftovers, thaw, and reheat them in the microwave in 30-second increments until it's heated all the way through.

Another great option is to make this dish ahead. You can either put it in the fridge for up to three days and then bake it, or you can freeze it until you're ready to eat it.