Meat Lover’s Pizza Casserole

 

Meat Lover’s Pizza Casserole

This hearty baked pasta casserole brings together all the bold, savory flavors of a meat lover’s pizza in one easy, crowd-pleasing dish. Packed with ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, crispy bacon, rich marinara sauce, and a generous blanket of melted cheese, it's the ultimate comfort food for family dinners, game days, or potlucks. Serve it with a simple green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal that everyone will love.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Course: Casserole, Comfort Food, Family Dinner, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 407 kcal per serving

Ingredients

• ½ lb ground beef

• ½ lb Italian sausage (casings removed if needed)

• 8 oz rotini or penne pasta, cooked and drained

• 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

• ½ cup pepperoni slices

• ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)

• ½ cup shredded cheddar or provolone cheese (optional)

• ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
  

  Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little oil.

  2. Cook the meats: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it browns. Continue cooking until no longer pink.

  3. Drain and add pepperoni: Drain the excess fat from the skillet thoroughly. Stir in the pepperoni slices and crumbled bacon (if using), and cook for 1–2 minutes, just until heated through.

  4. Build the sauce: Stir in the marinara or pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to blend the flavors.

  5. Combine pasta and sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the meat sauce, and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir well until every piece of pasta is evenly coated in the saucy mixture.

  6. Assemble the casserole: Transfer the pasta mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.

  7. Top with cheese and extras: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. If using, add the cheddar or provolone, along with the sliced olives and mushrooms.

  8. Bake (covered): Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes.

  9. Bake (uncovered) and finish: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden.

  10. Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to portion out.
      

      Notes

      • Pasta tip: Cook the pasta just shy of al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than the package directions) so it holds its texture and doesn't become mushy during baking.

      • For a pizza-like finish: Scatter a few extra pepperoni slices over the cheese before the final bake—they'll crisp up slightly and look just like a pizza topping.

      • Make it ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, you may need to add 5–10 extra minutes to the cooking time since it will be going into the oven cold.
        

        Nutrition (per serving)

        • Calories: 407 kcal

        • Carbohydrates: 15g

        • Protein: 22.9g

        • Fat: 27.4g

        • Saturated Fat: 11.8g

        • Trans Fat: 0.1g

        • Cholesterol: 76mg

        • Sodium: 525mg

        • Fiber: 1.3g

        • Sugar: 3.1g

Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Brown Sugar Pork Chops

 

Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Brown Sugar Pork Chops

Thick, bone-in pork chops are the star of this incredibly easy dinner, slow-cooked until fall-apart tender in a rich, sticky glaze. The sauce—a sweet and savory blend of brown sugar, zesty Italian dressing, and savory soy sauce—transforms into a glossy syrup that's perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables. With just 10 minutes of prep, this set-it-and-forget-it meal delivers big, comforting flavor with minimal effort.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 921 kcal per serving

Ingredients

• 4 thick-cut bone-in pork chops (about 1 ¼ inches thick, 2 ½ to 3 lbs total)

• 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)

• 1 cup full-fat Italian dressing

• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  

  Instructions

  1. Sear the pork (optional but recommended): For extra flavor and color, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork chops for 1–2 minutes per side, until nicely browned. This step is optional but adds a delicious depth to the final dish.

  2. Layer the slow cooker: Arrange the pork chops in a single layer at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.

  3. Make the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, Italian dressing, and soy sauce until smooth and glossy.

  4. Coat the chops: Pour the glaze evenly over the pork chops, making sure each chop is well-coated.

  5. Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the pork is exceptionally tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.

  6. Remove the pork: Using a wide spatula and tongs, carefully transfer the cooked pork chops to a serving platter.

  7. Thicken the sauce: Skim any excess fat from the surface of the cooking liquid in the slow cooker. Turn the heat to high, remove the lid, and let the sauce bubble for 10–15 minutes, until it reduces and becomes slightly thick and syrupy.

  8. Serve: Spoon the finished sauce generously over the pork chops and serve immediately.

  Notes

  • Bone-in, thick-cut pork chops are highly recommended—they stay juicier and hold their shape better during the long cooking time than boneless or thinner cuts.

  • Don't forget to serve the extra sauce at the table; it's wonderful drizzled over sides like potatoes, rice, or noodles.
    

    Nutrition (per serving)

    • Calories: 921 kcal

    • Carbohydrates: 58g

    • Protein: 49g

    • Fat: 53g

    • Saturated Fat: 14.8g

    • Trans Fat: 0.4g

    • Cholesterol: 138mg

    • Sodium: 1166mg

    • Sugar: 56.8g